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Found 78 matching passages in 15 documents.
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.
Okay. Um, what you got? Yeah, I will. Just a second. Um, sorry. So the 30,000, what's significant about that? So the 30,000 was a, was a good round number near the inflationary number. So if we just follow the rate of inflation, that's how we got to the 30,000 number. If I recall, uh, it has been some time on the slow cooker here, Mr. Chairman. So I, I...
Um, so you should have that in your folder. Mm-hmm. Basically, all we're, we're saying is small claims. These are-- We're talking about small claims court. Uh, the National Center for State Courts defines small claims court as an informal, fast-paced, and affordable legal venue designed to resolve minor monetary disputes, typically under $10,000 to $15,000,...
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.
And that's how 99% of foreclosure trans- transactions occur. There's not a bidder. Um, but, uh, the actual bidders at the sale, they are required to bring good funds to the courthouse. So you either need to have a brief- briefcase full of cash or, you know, a, an envelope full of cashier's checks on the courthouse steps. And courthouse steps, that may be...
If- ... anybody have certified funds and then- If you were the- ... have- If- ... cash later, so you're basically saying you can't have cash. If you were the winning bidder at the courthouse steps and you say, "I want to pay in cash," uh, you and the, uh, uh, person doing the foreclosure can arrange to have that transferred, um, in, in a way outside the...
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.
So it's not like this is all tax returns or tax money. It's miscellaneous things where a financial institution is paying over to the state, and here in Georgia, that happens to be the Department of Revenue. In Florida, it's the Division of Financial Services, I believe. But that's what's going on with that $3 billion that the state has. This bill is trying...
And what we did is on lines 146 and 148, uh, we lowered the threshold from 15,000 down to 7,500. Representative Oliver, I believe her analogy was, you know, "What if it's $700? What if it's $8,000?" We cut it in half from 15,000 down to 7,500, and then we also added Georgia probate. The original language said, uh, any pending probate. We added pending...
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. So- And so there is, that's kind of the balance with the creditors. And it, it's, uh, a, a instilling some sort of confidence in the credit system as to what creditors can reasonably expect if somebody should file bankruptcy. I think I understand, which is that this just changes the terms of potential settlement negotiations and not necessarily people...
Okay. All right. Thank you. Sorry for getting into the weeds there. Any other questions? Seeing none. Did you wanna respond? Okay. Yes, if I may. All right. Let's... Oh, gee, let me touch you back. Yeah. I'm sorry. Thank you so much. Y'all can swap seats if you want to. Um, thank you. I just wanted to address a few things, um, that were brought up. Number...
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.
There's a couple bills out there, one getting traction taking that 15,000 to 25,000, uh, which would, uh, pretty much encompass, um, most of these cases, uh, if not all. Right. So, um, I did have a little concern on the wording and would love- Where, where are you in the bill right now? All right, so that's a good question. Just telling you all the...
Um, and that's how they're getting to that $2,000. So, um, when I dug in and, and, and really investigated to learn why we even have the foreclosure there, that is there to ensure people are paying their dues and they are paying their assessments. And I didn't, you know, there's no other, no other way, um, that I know of to where, to give the associations...
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.
They do, and that's under current law. They must... They have to have a contract. Um- But I think we're elaborating- We are ... in this bill to make sure that the expectations of the parties are at least addressed in writing somehow. Now, may- they may not read it, but at least it's supposed to be addressed somehow, so those rights are more clearly defined....
Okay. I hope that answers your question. I think, I think it does. But I have one or two more follow-ups, Mr. Chairman, if I may. Yes, sir. So it, it would seem to me that more clearly defining the rights of the parties contractually and hopefully making sure everyone's aware of that, the, the, sort of the terms of that arrangement, would avoid the rather...
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.
Okay. Uh, Representative Oliver, you, did you have a... The estates have been closed and the executors discharged when the asset is found. That causes an... And I make these business judgments. If it's $700, forget it, um, because the cost of reopening an estate. And I don't know if there's a solution for that, but it's something I come across fairly often....
It's presumed abandoned in most instances after five years. They then report to us. So we talk about a holder filing a report. They tell us who they believe the owner is, how long they've been holding it, property amount, any identifying information. Depending on what they're holding, it may be securities. Uh, we speak to a, something in the bill here where...
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.
Six. So that would be Section 6 of HB61 SCSFA, which is to add language, um, the introductory language, but also the text would be, "A court of competent jurisdiction shall order all records of the court relating to a dispossessory proceeding to be made unavailable to the public when the tenant has prevailed in the proceeding, has met all the conditions of...
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...
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.
Um, the bill redefines, uh, appear and personally appear at lines forty to forty-five to expressly include interaction, uh, via compliant communication technology, which legally satisfies, uh, the, um, personal-- requiring personal appearance, um, part of the statute. And then step four would be, um, slides three eleven through three eighteen. The entire...
There's some confusion related to IPEN, which is in-person electronic notarization. That's, uh, there was a different bill passed earlier for that, but that's when the notary sit next to you and they have electronic seal on that. A remote online notary means they can be through a communication technology, watching the transaction, recording the transaction,...
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.
Okay. Yeah, that's one of those seats that's about to bust out the bottom there. Be careful. Okay, so, uh, we've got both mics lit up, and this is House Bill 1221. Yeah. If you would, tell us about your bill. Sure. Thank you very much, Chairman. So yes, as you said, House Bill 1221. It's LC, uh, 0416S. Um, so at its core, this is a consumer protection bill....
But the attorney's fees were 1,920 bucks. We offered to split them 50/50. The HOA said no. Hm. And so the lawsuit went on. This is in, uh, February of 2020, and the pandemic comes along, and by the time we get to trial, three years has gone by, and for some reason, uh, they've piled up $2,900 worth of additional attorney's fees in the three years while...
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...
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.
I, I think I started by saying- Okay ... we don't necessarily need it. If we're gonna have it, by golly, it needs to be accurate and complete. It, the, what had been proposed, due respect to whoever- Maybe that's a question for Chairman Jones then. It is. What existed before didn't include the language that SCOTUS and Georgia Supreme Court has used, and I...
So it would read, "Contain protected personally identifiable information." That would, uh, keep it consistent with the rest of the bill that used that terminology in other parts of the bill. So this allows title examiners, attorneys, title insurance companies, upon making a certification, to be able to review the record. I appreciate the judicial council...
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.
And I need a motion to bring his bill off the table. This is House Bill 899. So moved. All right, got a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. All right. Okay, so I'm Representative, uh, Jenkins, House District 136. Uh, today I come to present to you House Bill 899, uh, LC number, uh, 492771S. Uh, as I said, this was laid on the table, and we have a...
The form would also need to be, um, modified to reflect these changes if this is what you're doing. Okay, I'm put the other hat back on now, um, and talk about the department. Um, if the intent of this bill is to allow someone who has a power of attorney to appoint an ARAP, not in, in a new... Excuse me, to file a new application for Medicaid assistance...
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 finally, the third point I want to make, the one that is the most concerning to us, starts on page five at line 112, and where if there is a risk of foreclosure, the personal representative can record a document that would then shorten the acceptance period to four months instead of nine months. this section is ambiguous. W- it's not clear what it means...
So what this bill does, I don't see it... I, I, I know it authorizes a pay raise, but we don't need the bill to do that. So the way I see the bill is that it really ties the hands of local governments to invest in their DA offices in the way that they think is best for their communities. That's a... It doesn't take away everything. I don't, I don't...
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.
36. Yeah. Before, during and after. Yeah, I've, I've heard that concern. Um- But you're, um, you're saying that the, they don't have to let that happen. They can restrict that. Is that what I'm hearing? Uh, yeah. Well, I think they can, as long as they do it fairly- Fairly ... um, and, and, and equally. Um, and, uh, I know one, one concern I had is about...
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