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Found 69 matching documents.
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 12, 2025 · Introduced
Criminal Procedure; pretrial proceedings in capital offense cases where the death penalty is sought when the accused has intellectual disability; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Senate Bill 159 would create a pretrial process letting defendants in Georgia death penalty cases prove they have intellectual disability before trial, which would bar prosecutors from seeking execution if proven.
SECTION 3. Said title is further amended by revising subsection (d) of Code Section 17-7-171, relating to time for a demand for speedy trial in capital cases, discharge and acquittal when no trial held before end of two court terms of demand, counting of terms in cases in which death penalty is sought, and special pleas of incompetency, as follows: "(d) If...
SECTION 4. Said title is further amended by revising subsection (b) of Code Section 17-10-35.1, relating to the review of pretrial proceedings when death penalty is sought, reports investigating reversible error, transmittal of reports to Supreme Court, orders regarding review, Attorney General assistance, res judicata, applicability, and waiver of rights,...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 12, 2025 · Engrossed
Brady Law Regulations; standards for bringing an action against the government for an unauthorized act relating to regulation of weapons; revise
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A House substitute to SB 163 rewrites how criminal discovery works in Georgia courts, setting new deadlines for prosecutors and defendants to exchange evidence, adds detailed expert witness disclosure rules, lets active law enforcement officers keep their voter registration address confidential, and updates how subpoenas are served on police agencies.
SECTION 1. Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure is amended by revising Code Section 17-7-54, relating to form of indictment by grand jury, by adding a new subsection to read as follows: "(c) An indictment substantially complying with the forms provided in this Code section shall in all cases be sufficient and...
SECTION 2. Said title is further amended by revising subsection (c) of Code Section 17-7-70.1, relating to trial upon accusations in certain felony and misdemeanor cases and trial upon plea of guilty or nolo contendere, as follows: "(c) An accusation substantially complying with the form forms provided in subsections (d) and (e) of Code Section 17-7-71...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 19, 2025 · Vetoed
Criminal Procedure; offenses that are not serious violent felonies, sexual felonies, or other certain offenses to be charged by accusation of the district attorney; allow
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would let district attorneys charge most felony cases by accusation instead of requiring a grand jury indictment, while also rewriting the state's gun law preemption statute and changing who can sue over local gun rules. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the Governor.
(g) Any person aggrieved as a result of a violation of this Code section may bring an action against the person who caused such aggrievement. The aggrieved person shall be entitled to reasonable attorney's fees and expenses of litigation and may recover or obtain against the person who caused such damages any of the following: (1) Actual damages or $100.00,...
SECTION 2. Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to criminal procedure, is amended by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 17-7-70.1, relating to trial upon accusations in certain felony and misdemeanor cases and trial upon plea of guilty or nolo contendere, as follows: "(a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) 'Serious...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 25, 2026 · Introduced
Grand Juries; creation, selection, composition, compensation, procedures, and term; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Senate bill would create a new statewide grand jury in Georgia focused on election crimes, letting the Attorney General ask the Supreme Court to convene it, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in November 2026.
(b) A person indicted by a state grand jury for a bailable offense shall have a bond hearing before the end of the second business day following the day he or she was arrested in this state for that offense or the day he or she was delivered within this state following extradition for that offense from another state or jurisdiction, and shall be released...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 19, 2025 · Introduced
Discovery; discovery in misdemeanor cases; change provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would overhaul how evidence sharing works in misdemeanor criminal cases, letting defendants opt into a two-way discovery process similar to what already applies in felony cases.
(b) In all criminal trials the defendant shall be entitled to have If the defendant elects to have this article apply, the prosecuting attorney shall, at least ten days prior to trial of the case, disclose to the defendant a complete copy of any written scientific reports in the possession of the prosecution which will be introduced in whole or in part...
(b) The prosecuting attorney shall serve upon the defendant within five days of the defendant's written notice but no later than five days before trial, whichever is later, a written notice stating the names, addresses, dates of birth, and telephone numbers of the witnesses, if known to the state, upon whom the state intends to rely to rebut the defendant's...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 13, 2025 · Engrossed
Pleadings and Motions; movants to file notices of uncontested motions in superior courts and state courts; authorize
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would let parties in superior and state court cases force a ruling on a stalled motion by filing an uncontested motion notice, after which the motion is deemed granted if the judge still doesn't rule within seven days.
The House Committee on Judiciary offers the following substitute to SB 173: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pleadings and motions, so as to authorize movants to file notices of uncontested motions in superior courts and state courts; to provide for uncontested...
SECTION 1. Article 3 of Chapter 11 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to pleadings and motions, is amended by adding new Code sections to read as follows: "9-11-16.1. (a) In the event that a superior court judge or a state court judge fails to rule upon a properly served pretrial motion before him or her to which no objection has...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 30, 2025 · Passed
Civil Practice; substantive and comprehensive revision of provisions regarding civil practice, evidentiary matters, damages, and liability in tort actions; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Senate Bill 68 rewrites large parts of Georgia's civil lawsuit rules, changing how lawyers can argue pain-and-suffering damages, creating a new legal standard for negligent security lawsuits, letting juries hear evidence of seat belt non-use, and changing what medical bills injured plaintiffs can recover.
(3) If the court has not ruled on the motion to dismiss within 90 days following the conclusion of briefing on such motion, the The court may upon its own motion or upon motion of a party, and for good cause shown, terminate or modify the stay imposed by this subsection but shall not extend such stay; provided, however, that such remedy shall not preclude...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 10, 2025 · Passed
Insanity and Mental Incapacity; hearing before a court orders an evaluation of the mental competency of an accused person to stand trial; require
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Senate Bill 132 changes how Georgia courts handle questions about a criminal defendant's mental competency to stand trial, requiring a hearing before ordering an evaluation and creating faster timelines and automatic dismissal for people accused only of minor, nonviolent misdemeanors.
(2) If the accused files a special plea alleging that the accused is mentally incompetent to stand trial, it shall be the duty of the court to have a bench trial, unless the state or the accused demands a special jury trial, to determine the accused's competency to stand trial. Once a special plea has been filed, the court shall submit the department's...
(i) Except as provided in division (ii) of this subparagraph, by the end of the 90 day period provided for in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of this subsection, or at any prior time, the department shall report that finding and the reasons therefor to the court and shall retain custody over the accused for the purpose of continued treatment for an...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 13, 2025 · Introduced
Speed Detection Devices; all laws relative to enforcement of speeding violations in school zones through the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; repeal
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would eliminate the state law allowing automated speed cameras in school zones and bar local governments and police from entering new camera enforcement contracts starting immediately, with the repeal of underlying camera laws taking effect July 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. Said article is further amended by repealing Code Section 40-14-1.2, relating to agent not private investigator or subject to certain laws.
SECTION 3. Said article is further amended in Code Section 40-14-2, relating to permit required for use, use not authorized where officers paid on fee system, and operation by registered or certified peace officers, by repealing subsection (c).
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 3, 2025 · Introduced
Speed Detection Devices and Red Light Cameras; standards for signs warning of a reduced speed limit in a school zone and signs warning of the use of automated traffic enforcement safety devices; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would tighten the rules for school zone speed cameras, requiring new warning signs placed a half mile before school zones and speed-display devices, while narrowing when tickets can be issued.
SECTION 5. Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to courts, is amended in Code Section 15-9-155, relating to prosecuting attorney's duties and authority in probate courts in counties in which there are no state courts, by revising subparagraph (a)(1)(A) as follows: "(A) In the prosecution of any violation of the laws or ordinances of...
SECTION 6. Said title is further amended in Code Section 15-18-6, relating to duties of district attorney, by revising paragraph (6) as follows: "(6) To prosecute civil actions to enforce any civil penalty set forth in Code Section 40-6-163 or 40-14-18 and to prosecute or defend any other civil action in the prosecution or defense of which the state is...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 19, 2026 · Introduced
"Henry McNeal Turner Voting Rights Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Senate bill would create a state-level voting rights law for Georgia, banning voter suppression and vote dilution, setting up a new Georgia Voting Rights Commission, and requiring some local governments to get state approval before changing election rules.
(c) In response to notice provided by subsection (a) of this Code section, the political subdivision may adopt a resolution denying that a violation exists, or otherwise formally deny a violation, which will abrogate the 50 day waiting period described in subsection (a) of this Code section and permit the party who sent notice to file an action immediately....
(2) Any party, as provided for in subsection (b) of Code Section 21-3-120, aggrieved by the exclusion of a political subdivision from the list of covered political subdivisions under subsection (d) of Code Section 21-3-40 or Code Section 21-3-51 may file an action to challenge the exclusion of a political subdivision. Such actions are subject to a...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 13, 2025 · Introduced
Conduct of Proceedings in Criminal Trials; legislative intent; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would change how errors are preserved for appeal in criminal trials, ending the requirement that lawyers formally 'except' to a judge's ruling and adopting a federal-style plain-error review standard.
Senate Bill 174 By: Senator McLaurin of the 14th A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 3 of Chapter 8 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to conduct of proceedings in criminal trials, so as to provide for legislative intent; to provide that exceptions to rulings or orders of the court are not necessary; to provide for the...
SECTION 1. It is the intent of the General Assembly in enacting this Act to adopt Rules 51 and 52 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, as interpreted by the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States circuit courts of appeals as of the effective date of this Act to the extent that such interpretation is consistent with the Constitution...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 27, 2026 · Introduced
Pretti, Alex; condemn the killing of and protect the constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and right to keep and bear arms
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate resolution condemns the killing of Alex Pretti by federal Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis and calls for protecting peaceful assembly and gun rights from federal encroachment.
Senate Resolution 605 By: Senators McLaurin of the 14th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Mallow of the 2nd, Harbison of the 15th and others A RESOLUTION Condemning the killing of Alex Pretti and protecting the constitutional rights of peaceful assembly and the right to keep and bear arms; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, the United States of...
WHEREAS, following the killing, Trump administration officials justified the execution solely on the basis that Mr. Pretti was lawfully in possession of a firearm; and WHEREAS, President Trump defended the killing by disseminating an image of Mr. Pretti's lawfully owned handgun, portraying the mere exercise of a constitutional right as evidence of...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 13, 2025 · Passed
'Fair and Safe Athletic Opportunities Act'; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Georgia's SB 1, the 'Riley Gaines Act of 2025,' would require public schools, participating private schools, and colleges to designate sports teams by sex, bar males from female teams, and set sex-based rules for locker rooms and overnight sleeping quarters.
(iii) If a complaint with a request for an expedited preliminary determination brought pursuant to this subparagraph is rejected in whole or in part by the employee designated in subsection (i) of this Code section, such designated employee shall render his or her decision rejecting such complaint in writing to the complainant, and such decision shall set...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 13, 2026 · Introduced
Torts; remedies for deprivation of constitutional rights of state citizens by civil immigration enforcement officers; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would let state residents sue civil immigration enforcement officers in state court if those officers violate their constitutional rights, and would let winning plaintiffs recover attorney's fees.
(3) At the time of the violation, the defendant was a law enforcement officer who was required by state or federal law or regulation or agency policy to wear and use an officer-worn body camera during the type of activity that gave rise to the deprivation of rights and failed to do so; (4) The defendant was operating or using a motor vehicle without a...
SECTION 2. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 16, 2025 · Introduced
Brady Law Regulations; purchase or transfer of certain firearms; require a ten-day waiting period
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Senate Bill 19 would create a new definition of 'semiautomatic assault weapon' in Georgia law and require a ten-day waiting period before licensed dealers can complete the sale or transfer of one.
SECTION 3. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
Senate Bill 19 By: Senators Lucas of the 26th, Jones of the 10th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 5 of Article 4 of Chapter 11 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Brady Law Regulations, so as to require a ten-day waiting period for the purchase...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 12, 2025 · Passed
Reckless Stunt Driving; a motor vehicle involved in a second offense of reckless stunt driving; replace the forfeiture penalty
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Senate Bill 160 creates a new limited driving permit that lets some Georgia drivers whose licenses are suspended for reckless stunt driving keep driving legally if they install a speed-limiting device in their car, and sets up licensing rules for the companies that install and monitor those devices.
(d) Revocation of intelligent speed assistance device limited driving permit. (1)(A) The department shall revoke the intelligent speed assistance device limited driving permit of any permittee who is convicted of violating any state law relating to the movement of vehicles. Any court in which such conviction is had shall require such permittee to surrender...
SECTION 4. Title 42 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to penal institutions, is amended in Code Section 42-3-111, relating to definitions regarding probation management, by revising paragraph (2) as follows: "(2) 'Electronic monitoring' means supervising, mapping, or tracking the location of a probationer by means including electronic...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · February 24, 2025 · Passed
Criminal Proceedings; the award of reasonable attorney's fees and costs in a criminal case to the defendant upon such defendant making a successful motion to disqualify the prosecuting attorney for misconduct in connection with the case; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): Senate Bill 244 lets criminal defendants recover attorney's fees when a prosecutor is disqualified for misconduct and the case is dropped, and it creates a new state system to compensate people who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned.
(a) Upon receiving a claim under this chapter filed and served in accordance with Code Section 17-22-4, the Office of State Administrative Hearings shall, within 15 days, designate an administrative law judge to adjudicate the claim and notify the claimant, the Attorney General, and the prosecuting district attorney of such designation. (b) Any such...
The judge to whom the criminal case was assigned shall consider and determine such motion for reasonable attorney's fees and costs without a jury and shall award such reasonable attorney's fees and costs as provided for under this Code section to such defendant. (c) Attorney's fees and costs awarded under this Code section shall be paid from the funds of...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 30, 2025 · Introduced
Right to Reproductive Freedom; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate resolution would ask voters to amend the state Constitution to declare a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, covering decisions from contraception to abortion care, with limits after fetal viability.
Senate Resolution 84 By: Senators Harrell of the 40th, Jones II of the 22nd, Jackson of the 41st, Parent of the 44th, Esteves of the 35th and others A RESOLUTION Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom and such right shall not be denied, burdened, or infringed upon...
SECTION 1. Article I of the Constitution is amended by adding a new Section to read as follows: "SECTION V. REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM Paragraph I. Right to reproductive freedom. (a) As used in this Section, the term 'fetal viability' means the point in pregnancy at which, in the professional judgment of an attending healthcare professional and based on the...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 29, 2025 · Failed
"Freedom of Speech and Belief Act"; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would bar large banks, payment processors, and utility companies from cutting off service to customers based on a 'social credit score' tied to their political speech, gun ownership, or religious beliefs.
(8) 'Social credit score' means a score or rating determined by an analysis or evaluation of one or more the following: (A) A person's exercise of any constitutional right protected by the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, including, without limitation, a person's speech, association, religious exercise, or ownership of firearms; (B) A...
(10) 'Utility services provider' means any private business entity or enterprise that provides utility services to retail customers. 10-1-439.21. An essential services provider shall not: (1) Discriminate in the provision of essential services against a person that has an established business relationship with such essential services provider; or (2) Agree,...
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