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Found 322 matching passages in 197 documents.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · February 23, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, February 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved four bills and held one for more work. Members unanimously approved a substitute to SB 470 addressing signal jammers, an amended SB 327 adding a sixth superior court judge in the Clayton Judicial Circuit, and SB 202 establishing reciprocal evidence-sharing rules for misdemeanor cases. After extensive testimony about constitutional protections, religious freedom and effects on Muslim Georgians, the committee approved SB 486 on foreign laws and tribunal decisions, 4 to 3, with the chair breaking a tie. The committee held SB 499 after members questioned removing enhanced penalties involving firearms equipped with silencers. Funding for the additional Clayton judgeship remained an issue for the budget process.
I couldn't talk to them right then, but when I came back from court, they were still there. These are mothers that their children have been murdered, and these are cases that have been pending for, one, over five years. We've been trying to get to it, and it's not that, you know, for lack of trying. It's that we just have that many cases, the judges have...
All right. Any questions for District Attorney Moseley or Judge Mason? Thank y'all. Thank y'all. We have one other person, Mr. Sullivan from the Black Republican Council, that's here. You want the last word? Yes, sir. Come on down. Oh, thank you. Nobody else told me. You know, this whole time, maybe it was better, I don't know. Okay, I will make this quick...
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,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · April 2, 2026
Senate floor session, April 2, 2026 (legislative day 40, part 1)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed measures on insurance, contraceptive access, child-abuse reporting, property-owner claims against local governments, education, healthcare licensing and court procedures. Debate focused heavily on HB 295, which passed 30 to 22 after opponents raised concerns about lawsuits, local costs and treatment of homeless people. Senators removed a corn-flour fortification requirement from HB 1138 before passing it. The Senate accepted House changes to several bills, including SB 556, which combined a needs-based college scholarship with other education provisions. A proposed change removing medical-education scholarships failed before the House version was approved 36 to 17. Senators set aside HB 1142 after questions about its domestic-violence registry and withdrew a motion on HB 328. The session also included committee reports, honorary resolutions, tributes to departing senators and a local-consent-calendar vote. The excerpt ends with a dinner break.
Isn't that true? That's 100% correct. That's absolutely correct. Any other questions? No other questions, Senator. Thank you, Mr. President. Recognize senator from the 50th. Thank you, Mr. President. And, um, I am coming down just to speak against this amendment. You know, I ran as a constitutionalist, and, uh, while I support our prosecutors and...
So I'm gonna be a no, and I wanted to explain why I'm a no. Uh, just, it just goes back to principle. I think this is a burden shift. This is no, you know, to no offense of the solicitors or the prosecutors, I think they do a good job, um, but in this case I just have, I have some pause supporting this, this amendment due to the fact that I do think it's a...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · February 26, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, February 26, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved four bills: SB 488, addressing product liability for AI systems that harm minors, passed 7-1; SB 418, addressing unauthorized nude or sexually explicit images, passed unanimously after an amendment expanding who could enforce it; SB 499, addressing firearm suppressors, passed 7-2 by substitute; and SB 572, changing the process for self-defense immunity claims, passed 7-2 without amendments. The longest discussion concerned SB 572. Supporters argued it would protect people acting in lawful self-defense, while prosecutors, defense lawyers and a gun-safety organization raised concerns about its wording and effects. The sponsor committed to further discussions as the bill moves forward.
Uh, continuing on but not of importance like he said, uh, like the chairman said, on lines 81 through 85, we are just restating where you cannot use stand-your-ground law as a defense for criminal actions, and this is reaffirming that you cannot shoot... I don't even like saying that word. You cannot fire on police officers and later claim that it was...
Maybe like 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, something, just something, as opposed to just having to wait and wait, and we'll get around to you eventually, especially in counties that, in judicial circuits that may not be as pro-gun or self-defense as others. Thank you. Thank you. Sully- Mr. Chairman, can I ask a question? Yeah, sure. Got one question for you....
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 25, 2026
Senate floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed bills on education scholarships, elections, retirement benefits, tax credits, courts, boating and military scholarships. After debate, it passed HB 328, expanding education tax credits, 30 to 20, and HB 369, changing certain county elections to nonpartisan elections, 32 to 21. It tabled HB 1185 after discussion of business court rules and several amendments. Senators approved revised school-zone camera rules in HB 651 and agreed to House changes on reckless stunt driving, pharmacist access to HIV prevention medicine, school discrimination complaints, insurance decisions involving artificial intelligence and DeKalb County compensation. The session also included bill readings, committee referrals and ceremonial recognitions. The Senate adjourned until March 27 at 10 a.m.
Amendment 2A, amend as follows, strike line 10 through 18, line 33, strike A and insert B, line 38, strike five and insert, strike, uh, strike B and insert C. Line 33, insert a new subsection A to read as follows, A, notwithstanding any code section to the contrary for claims brought under this code section when actions involving a code s- actions involving...
Uh, it will cut off any further amendments. We've probably only got eight now. Mr. President? I don't feel comfortable even hearing. If we were to table this bill right now after this, after this amendment- Senate loves to debate. Clearly, senator from the 6th, this is a contentious and, uh, group that likes to debate. Um, on the motion to resolve debate,...
Bill or resolution · Georgia State Senate · January 16, 2026 · Introduced
Public Officers and Employees; public employees to self-organize or to be represented by a labor organization and bargain collectively with the state; authorize
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia Senate bill would let public employees, including state and local government workers, firefighters, and law enforcement officers, unionize and bargain collectively with the government over pay and working conditions, while still banning strikes.
(c) If the board determines that the charge is sufficient, the board shall notify the parties. Each respondent so charged shall thereupon file an answer to the charge with the board and serve a copy upon the charging party no more than 20 days after service of notification of the sufficiency of the charge, unless otherwise allowed by the board. The board,...
Amendment · Georgia State Senate · September 25, 2026
Sen Floor Amend 1 AM 49 0334 to SB 173
(a) Prior to or at arraignment, every person charged with a criminal offense the defendant shall be furnished with a copy of the indictment or accusation and, on demand, with a list of the witnesses on whose testimony the charge against such person is founded. Without the consent of the defendant, no witness shall be permitted to testify for the state whose...
(c) Failure of the prosecution to comply with a defendant's timely written request for a copy of such defendant's statement, whether written or oral, shall result in such statement being excluded and suppressed from the prosecution's use in its case-in-chief or in rebuttal. If the defendant elects to have this article apply, the prosecuting attorney shall,...
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 · 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) If a defendant elects to have this article apply, the prosecuting attorney, not later than ten days before trial, or as otherwise ordered by the court, shall provide the defendant with a list of witnesses that the state intends to call as witnesses at trial. Such list shall include the names, address and current locations, dates of birth, and telephone...
(a) At If the defendant elects to have this article apply, the prosecuting attorney shall, at least ten days prior to the trial of the case, disclose to the defendant shall be entitled to have a copy of any statement given by the defendant while in police custody. The defendant may make such request for a copy of any such statement, in writing, within any...
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · January 28, 2026
Senate floor session, January 28, 2026 (legislative day 8)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate agreed to the House version of SB 148, covering outdoor learning, hunting safety instruction, school defibrillators and teacher leave, by a 50-0 vote. A motion to agree to the House version of SB 170, which replaced a homelessness council proposal with rural hospital generator grants, failed after a 27-22 vote. The Senate rejected the House version of SB 9 without objection and moved HB 377 to Government Oversight. Senators also debated constitutional rights and federal immigration enforcement while urging action on SR 605, but no vote on that resolution occurred. The Senate adopted SR 596 recognizing Big Brothers Big Sisters, adopted an unnamed consent calendar of resolutions, and received bill readings and committee reports. The session adjourned until January 29 at 10 a.m.
It's not about where you are. It affects all of us. And what he said in that opinion fits exactly what we're talking about today. When he talks about the case, he was talking about the Garcia case there, but he could be talking about this case right here. While there is still time, an amazing, powerful statement from a federal court judge, Reagan appointee....
But if you do wear a badge, you have a right to the jury of a bunch of Georgia state senators who watch, and I quote, "viral videos," who listen to rhetoric throughout the news cycle on the internet and their favorite targeted silo channel on their favorite website or their favorite print publication that may still be in existence. But I'm gonna hit you...
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...
Meeting transcript · Georgia State Senate · March 18, 2026
Senate floor session, March 18, 2026 (legislative day 33)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The Senate passed HB 998 on rural telephone service, HB 1159 on tax relief for farm assistance payments, HB 1302 on education and workforce coordination, HB 1379 on foreign funding disclosures, HB 999 on magistrate courts, and HB 376 on historic rehabilitation tax credits. Senators also agreed to House changes to SB 220, with further amendments to the medical cannabis proposal. Debate included rural communications, utility consumer protections, minimum wage, foreign influence in schools, access to small claims court, and cannabis benefits and risks. The Senate returned HB 439 to the Finance Committee to fix an error and received numerous committee reports and bill readings. A senator gave notice of plans to consider House changes to HB 1199 on the next legislative day. The Senate adjourned until 10 a.m. March 19.
Let me just tell you a few reasons why this is a problem. Number one, our Constitution guarantees us the right to a trial by jury. When you're having damages awarded for you or against you, typically you're entitled to a jury trial. We create an exception for these very small claims, and that's why some people call magistrates courts small claims courts....
You're not allowed to obtain documents, to subpoena or request production of documents. So somebody could be theoretically suing you on a contract, you can't even get copies of their invoices. They could be suing you for injuries in an automobile collision and you don't get copies of their medical bills and records, or whether they had previous injuries...
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 · 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...
SECTION 8. Said title is further amended in said article by adding a new Code section to read as follows: "51-12-15. (a) In any action to recover damages for bodily injury or wrongful death, any party may elect, by written demand prior to the entry of the pretrial order, to have fault and any award of damages determined at trial in the following manner: (1)...
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 · 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 · 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...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Insurance and Labor Committee · February 17, 2026
Senate Insurance and Labor Committee, February 17, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee held a hearing on SB 364, which would add penalties for insurers that knowingly provide false or misleading information affecting premiums. Members discussed refunds, existing enforcement powers, the size of penalties and insurers’ rights to challenge decisions. No vote was taken. The committee also discussed SB 230, concerning condominium insurance deductibles. After questions about costs to owners, the sponsor explained that a previously approved committee version retained a cap and required notice to owners, unlike the original version in members’ folders. The chair said the committee would return to that version at the next meeting. No vote was taken.
W- that would ordinarily, with a penalty as massive as you're giving here, they might have a right to a jury trial to prove they intentionally did that. Why not just create a, a new criminal code section that it'd be a crime to lie to the insurance commissioner, and then let's let prosecutors handle it, and let them have a right to a jury trial, and be...
And that is not what we're here for. Would that be correct? That is correct. Yeah. So, um, and, and just to be perfectly clear, tort reform passed last year. That's right. And where I sat in the Senate, I sat in the middle of three trial attorneys. And I believe that myself and all three of those trial attorneys, yourself included, voted for the legislation...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · February 25, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, February 25, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee considered and unanimously approved three bills. SB 552 would protect public school students’ political expression and access to student meeting spaces. SB 542 would add clergy to laws against improper sexual contact involving positions of authority. The committee approved that bill with a substitute after hearing supporting testimony from a survivor and the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. SB 406 would establish state oversight of homeowners and similar associations and change foreclosure rules. Members approved an amendment requiring immediate decisions after administrative hearings, but withdrew a proposed board-training requirement. The chair said SB 406 would move to Rules.
But, um, but again, I, I guess going back to your question, to me, an administrative, some sort of administrative hearing to me needed to be the first remedy available. I don't wanna cut ... We, we could have a discussion all the time, which is important, but we also wanna keep a quorum or the bill could stall out- Okay ... for not being able to take...
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.
SECTION 2. Said part is further amended in Code Section 17-7-130, relating to proceedings upon a plea of mental incompetency to stand trial, by revising subsections (b) and (c) as follows: "(b)(1)(A) If an accused files a motion requesting a competency evaluation, the court shall hold a hearing to determine if there is sufficient information to raise a bona...
(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...
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