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Found 167 matching passages in 17 documents.
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.
It- I don't believe that we include those within privileged clergy, and so the state of Georgia's evidence code doesn't even recognize imams within it. And, and I appreciate that, and I'll take any advice from the esteemed, um, attorneys on the committee. I, I do think that they would be included in some of the expanded, uh, definitions as you go through...
So that, that's the, uh, line there because consent has always been used as a defense in this misconduct. Okay. And then my other questions are it, it has a first and second degree, and the first degree is for engages in sexually explicit conduct which gets us to that definition in 16-12-100. Which... I, I apologize, sir. Which line are you on? Sorry. Line,...
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.
Anyway, um, the LC I have for Senate Bill 403 is 590297S. Is that what you have? It is. Yeah, it didn't change at all so far. Um, this bill deals with unclaimed property held by our state department of revenue. This is an agency bill that I've been working on for a number of months after I found out that I had some unclaimed property, and subsequently found...
And it improves the timing and accuracy of the unclaimed property list by allowing delayed, uh, publication until the property's actually received. So the goal is, again, is to return more money to Georgians faster. Um, I can walk through briefly each section, if you would like that. Yes, please. Section one updates definitions in the, uh, in the code, and...
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.
Yes. All right. It's 11. Thank you, Chairman. I'm presenting this on behalf of Whit Barchett. Um, I have LC 49-2657. I don't have that. I don't have it. It is being distributed currently. There you go. Thank you. This has to do with unauthorized practice of law. Currently, uh, we have a statute where if you're not a lawyer, you cannot practice law, and it...
Yes, absolutely. I know firsthand, um, being Korean American and practicing law in Gwinnett County, I have clients that come to me all the time who do not speak English, um, who only speak Korean, and they later on, further into their case, realize the person that they were talking to at the law firm is actually not an attorney who has been giving legal...
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.
Thank you, Chairman. Bring an entourage with me where I go. Excuse me. Um, this is House Bill, House Bill 1223 LC630082. Um, and, uh, this is Chief Mike Turner, who introduced some stuff and, and has a few words to say related to it. Uh, Chief of Police in Hiram, Georgia. This is Sheriff Ashley Henson, uh, Paulding County Sheriff. And this is, um, DA...
Courts have consistently held that the press has no special constitutional right of access beyond what the public receives under statute, and this bill treats everyone equally. No member of the public, including the media, receives automatic access to a person's final moments. Um, if compelling public interest exists, um, a court can reta- retains the...
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.
All right. Uh, Representative Evans. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, I appreciate the aim of the bill very much and, and the way I understand it, Chair Lady Cooper, is that if we don't test for the presence of the date rape drug r- right away, I mean, it'll be gone. That's what happened to the very brave young lady that testified. Right. Um, right, I'm right...
That was my concern. Yes, sir. Thank you. All right. I don't quite understand Robert, you got anything you wanna add? Yeah, 'cause I... 'Cause maybe I'm overdoing it, but anyway. Robert Smith with PAC. I think that your concern is a valid one about the new... Y- basically this is government action compelling, uh, someone who hasn't given consent, haven't,...
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.
Um, it essentially prio- prioritizes survivor voice and public safety over secrecy. Um, this law is named after Trey Carlock, um, who was a Texas resident who also lived in Atlanta for about four years growing up. He was sexually abused as a child at a summer camp, a summer camp, um, that, where Georgia is one of the camp's top markets. In his l- civil...
While Trey's Law was born out of the devastating abuse scandal at Kanakuk Ministries, a tragedy that led to lifelong harm for many and to ultimate suicide for Trey and others, this issue is not isolated just to Missouri. As, uh, Elizabeth was sharing, even in, in, for Georgia, um, this issue is not isolated just to, to one state or one institution. I'm a...
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.
And, um, it is a companion bill to HR 1046, um, because leg counsel suggested that I run it concurrently to change the, um, to change the Constitution. But thank you for this, giving me this opportunity for this interesting discussion on squatters. Um, so I spoke mostly t- to most of you about this bill. But this essentially, uh, would give interested third...
What about my property rights?" 'Cause squatters do bring down the property value of a neighborhood, and people are worried about safety of, of their children. Um, so that is, uh, essentially the bill. I just wanted to have a good discussion about how can I serve my constituents. So, uh, we, we heard them together. Um, we're gonna vote on them separately....
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.
Okay. I'm gonna s- still think through, through that piece of it, 'cause it just fundamentally shifts, I think, you know, how we're doing foreclosures in my mind. And, um, but you mentioned that starting on line 29, that lenders currently have the ability to submit credit bids. That's what they're doing today? Correct. And how are they... How do they have...
Well, the bidder, the winning bidder. The winning bidder can also present the funds through a, uh, credit bid. Point me to that language. Are you saying it's an existing code? No. Oh. They definitely cannot do it now. Okay. And the creditor definitely can do it now. Uh, purchasers at judicial sales shall tender certified funds issued by or certified by any...
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.
Let me ask you this. Let me- Do you think that's a good thing? Let me, let me finish answering your question. I think hoteliers right now have the opportunity not to rent for more than 90 days. I think without this legislation, they certainly could s- stop renting after 30 days, and make families that are, have been living in extended stays for whatever...
It's on individuals that are scamming the system. It's on individuals that are using these rooms to traffic young men and women, traffic drugs. And the noise about women and children being put out on the street is just noise. Uh, I think this protects those, that population that this, uh, some on this committee seem to be worried about. Um, this bill...
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.
I, I think we can. Um, all right, who's over here? Mr. Chairman, it would be my, my position that if, if the bill is stripped out in a blank slate, then it's germane to whatever we put in there. Mm. Agree. All right. So where am I at? I've lost my, lost my place. We got your motion and a second. Oh, all right. So all those in favor, raise your hand. Go...
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 · 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.
That's what this bill does, and we made that clear through that. So if there are any local folks at the courthouse who are tied to the DA's salary, this bill would say that, um, it separates that. You could pursue that through local legislation here at the Capitol if needed, or just local, uh, laws there at the county. So it, it did not wanna impose an...
So, um, that is an overview of the, uh, the bill. Um, we have several, uh, district attorneys who are here. We've got, uh, Joe Mulholland, the president, uh, who was the first person I heard from on the bill. Uh, we have, uh, Herb Cranford from Newnan, Don Kelly from Columbus. Um, uh, previously we had Wright Barksdale come to the retirement hearing. Uh,...
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.
Amen. Thank you. All right, um, we got a list of bills here. Not too many witnesses, uh, so I hope that we get through all seven of these. I have a hard stop at 3:30. So, uh, I'm gonna call my bill first, uh, because I think it's probably the simplest on here. Um, House Bill 1208, and, um, if nobody objects, I'll just do it from here. Um, this is a court...
I have with me today, uh, Avi Statler with Esquire, who's an expert on this issue. Dealing with this issue, not just in Georgia, but around the country. So if anyone has any questions, he'll be happy to do the, the dirty work. And if you don't have any questions, we simply ask for your favorable support. Thank you. Any questions? Do I hear a motion? Move to...
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 · 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...
there's a, there's a federal, um- igual Access Act, which actually supports portions of this track. Okay. And so it already applies to schools. Um, and it, um, uh, like the language, I think in C1, it, it just is almost a copy of the portions of the Equal Access Act. So, I, um, and some of the terms here, non-curricular, those are terms that, that come out...
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,...
And then you would appeal from the arbitrator's decision to the magistrate court if it's, if you're within the jurisdictional limits. If not, you go to superior court. Correct. Right, okay. And that jurisdictional limit's currently is 15,000. I believe Representative Monahan has a bill to take it to 25,000, which I fully support. Why do you feel that way?...
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.
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 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...
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