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Found 17 matching 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 · 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.
Good afternoon, Chair Gunt- Gunter and committee. My name is Elizabeth Phillips, and I'm in town here from Dallas, Texas, although I lived in Atlanta during my middle school years and have so many fond memories of growing up in Georgia. But today I'm going to share about some darkness that remains in this state, and I thank you for your support as I try to...
He died by suicide in 2019 because he wasn't allowed to have a voice, and as anyone in psychology knows, that inhibits healing. A few days before he died by suicide, he told a therapist, "They will always control me, and I'll never be free." He was 28 years old. My brother played NYO baseball in Chastain Park. He was a soloist for the Atlanta's Boy C-...
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.
Okay. And I wanted to ask the author, um- I know you do have your computers over there, and you can look it up. I guess that's true, but- It might be a slant that came over, but, uh, we'll get, we'll get copies of it for everybody. Um, Representative Seabaugh, is it your intention to, to create a framework in Georgia where as long as there is a day-to-day...
They do. And earlier there was a reference to a 2017 documentary in Florida about hotels or extended stays down there. Has Florida tightened up their laws similar to what you're asking for in this bill, uh, last year? They have, Mr. Representative. And, uh, finally, you mentioned, uh, some news coverage this week, uh, was, uh, one of the Asian American...
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...
I will, I will be kind and, um, just, just take that, um, from Representative Kelly. Um, this bill is LC47-4934. This has to do with the Cordele district where I live. Um, Superior Court judges, um, in the Cordele Judicial Circuit, all the judges in the area sent me a letter saying, "Please change these dates or, or have this enacted." So basically, um, I...
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.
Amen. Thank you. All right, Senator, if you wanna come up and tell us about, this will be Senate Bill 552. I've got LC492643. Hopefully that's correct. I should put my glasses on so I can see better. You can put them- Now, I got, um, both of those mics are live, whichever one you wanna use. And I'll take this one right here. All right. Thank you, Mr....
Uh, I'm sorry, page two. Uh, it shall be unlawful for any public school which has limited open forum to deny equal access, uh, or a fair opportunity, uh, and cannot discriminate against any students enrolled in such public schools who wish to conduct a meeting within such limited forum on the basis of political, philosophical, ideological, or other content...
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 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.
I think I'm in line, and that's, that's what I went to legislative council with, "Hey, there's a 911 exception today." Um, I'm looking to do that for video, uh, from body cams today. If there, if you have a need for it, um- You know, you can get it. The courthouse door is still open, um, but it's, it's in line with that as far as how I addressed it to the-...
I don't really see it much different than that but, you know, there's the will of the committee here if, if there's a problem with that. Sure. I- Sorry. Introduce yourself, please. Oh, I'm Sarah Japour. I'm the district attorney for the West Georgia Circuit. I think some of it, and, and this track's identical, not only to the, the statute, um, in Section...
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.
Mr. Chairman, again, like I said, I would never intend or expect there to be action on this today. I'd like to read that. Mm-hmm. I came here looking for help. Mm-hmm. Um, it seems as if this gentleman may be able to assist me. Okay. And I appreciate that. So that's what the committee process is for, and, uh, I'm perfectly fine just- Can you be here on...
One of the cases was this Georgia sheriff who decided everybody who was on the sex offenders list had to put a sign in their yard that said, "Don't trick or treat here." And the 11th Circuit came in and said, "Yeah, you can't do that." Because even if you have an interest in protecting children from being harmed, A, does this help? And the answer, no. And...
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.
Okay ... to the clerk's authority to make sure that they have their, their, you know, ducks in a row, to, you know what I'm saying? Right. To, to make sure we have the most current regulations that would follow what's in the, the bill. So six months from now, or- Or is that what you were thinking, or more? 2027. Just change it to 2027. Okay. Whatever the...
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 · 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.
Thank you, uh, Chairman. And while I'm here, I'd like to s- say that my district attorney, uh, Alcovy district, is here. Randy McKelly, welcome. I, I see a whole contingent of DAs over here. Oh, okay. He's mine. Thank you. Welcome. Thank you. Okay. All right. Seven minutes. Seven minutes. Seven minutes. Who we got next? Um, we got him. Chairman, is Chairman...
Thank you. All right. We'll keep working with you guys to figure this 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.
But if I understood the one non-lawyer that was talking earlier, uh, you haven't decided fully who all this applies to. It looks like it applies to everybody who is an HOA at the moment. I do think you need to address that question before you pass a bill like this, 'cause it's better to figure out, uh, you know, if it applies to you or start calling your...
Family issue this morning. Oh. Oh, thank you for- Nothing bad, just had schedules ... thank you for being here. Um, let me start us off with a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank you for those that are here in attendance, pray that you bless them and their families, and that you be with us to give us guidance in the...
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.
We were gonna do Leverett, but first we did- All right. Chairman, uh, Chairman Leverett is in a, uh, committee meeting that is continuing on. I'm sorry, Chairman Gunter. . Somebody else said, uh... Oh, I'm sorry. All right. You say that. What, what a start of the year of judiciary. Uh, Chairman Gunter is in another committee meeting that is continuing to,...
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.
Um, I don't know. I know that was the second time those parties went to the Georgia Supreme Court, so I would have to assume an extraordinary amount. Mm-hmm. Thank you. Okay. Um, Representative Kelley. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is an important issue, both to our counties and to our taxpayers. And I know Chairman Parrish doesn't like us to, to be late,...
The LC of the, of the newer version is LC forty-nine twenty-seven seven two. Twenty-two. And I sent an email back to Brock in the hour as we were wrapping up on the floor, uh, and appreciate him accommodating me by getting that out in the folders this morning. So, um- Got it. And I do have changes in the back, Mr. Chairman, so I thought I'd like to Okay,...
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...
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 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. I know there were some... The next bill is, um, Senate Bill 552. And, uh, I know there were some changes in that, um... Can you pause until we get Rob down here, Mr.- Yeah, I would- I'd rather have him 'cause he's the one that's worked on all that. So, uh, let's- Well, and I've gotten some emails, um, because there's no, there's, there's kind of...
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 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...
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