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Found 10 matching documents.
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · February 5, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, February 5, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee unanimously approved both bills and sent them to Rules. Members approved SB 405 without further discussion of its substance, following testimony at an earlier subcommittee meeting. For SB 398, members reviewed a narrower substitute addressing AI-generated obscene images and adopted two amendments. One concerned sexually explicit chatbot responses to children; the other limited certain probation restrictions to felony violations. The committee then unanimously approved the amended substitute. The chair also outlined a process of generally taking public testimony on Mondays and considering full committee votes on Thursdays.
Okay. I'm okay with that. Legislative Council, do you agree with that change being a fix we need to make as well? I do believe it is. I may read it back at some point just to make sure I got the language right, but I do not see an issue with that as a fix. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Any other questions for the author on the...
Um, so the child did go home and, and tell his mom, and actually this happened to two, two children. And, um, the moms got on the chatbot, and it immediately did the same thing for them. So she came to me and, um, I went to legislative council and we came up with this language, uh, to be able to address it. Um, so basically, um, if you have a, um, computer...
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.
So we will start with Senate bill... Hey, JJ, do you mind getting the sign-up sheets for us? Thank you. We'll start with Senate Bill 552. Chairman Watson, we are working off of LC492643. Is that what you have? That is what I have. Thank you. Yes, sir. All right, the floor is yours. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Appreciate, uh, uh, you having us here...
Public school students are guaranteed the right to wear clothing, accessories, and jewelry that display political messages and symbols. Let me take you through the bill itself. Uh, section one names it, the True Patriotism and Universal Student Access Act. Uh, section two d- uh, defines, uh, the terms, uh, in this, uh, bill. Uh, and then the... And then...
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.
All right, we're gonna start with Senate Bill 470. Yeah, Jada, if you don't mind getting the sign-up sheets for me. Come on up, Senator Albers. Mr. Chairman. How are you? I am wonderful. Would you mind if I fill for the GBI company needs? Sure. Come on up. Now, let's make sure we're all working off the same bill number. We have a substitute LC492658S. Is...
So I'll take you through the bill. Uh, beginning in, uh, section 1 obviously is the name. But section 2 defines, uh, all the cri- critical, uh, items that we see in bills from what a communication signal is, critical infrastructure, uh, the different agencies, what a signal jammer is. I think they're pretty straightforward. And then in section 2.2, it...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · March 23, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, March 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee advanced 12 bills addressing survivor confidentiality, court administration, juvenile justice planning, criminal penalties, domestic violence records, judicial staffing, public defender oversight and business lawsuits. Members unanimously approved most measures. HB 1076, which would make knowingly obstructing law enforcement with a vehicle a felony, passed 4 to 3 after an amendment excluding stationary vehicles failed. HB 1303, concerning unlawful drug possession around children, passed 4 to 1. HB 1075, increasing penalties for repeated misdemeanor offenses against people and sex offenses, also advanced on a divided vote, though the count is unclear in the transcript. Members amended HB 1061 to include the Georgia Public Defender Council in juvenile justice planning. Several substitutes substantially changed or expanded the bills, including HB 903, which became a measure regulating coin-operated amusement machines.
The second thing I'd like to address is also about the stationary versus moving vehicle. Um, it's a concern for us that the same penalty would be considered for someone actively, aggressively obstructing law enforcement with their car and someone who has a parked vehicle. Along with some of the great examples you guys already shared, I came up with a couple...
Um, and while the knowingly does help, um, um, help with the language there a bit, it would help if an additional m- line were added to, um, to, to flesh out protections for those who are unknowingly obstructing. Because I know fir- fir- for myself, I have been, been told by, um, um, individ- uh, individuals, um, I don't recall any interactions with law...
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.
Come on up. We are gonna start with Senate Bill 488. We're working off LC492614. If y'all could grab me the sign-up sheets, please. Take the sign-up sheet. Go ahead and, and you are on. Go ahead and get started for us. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the committee. Uh, bring before you today Senate Bill 488. Um, I've got with me Rob Elvelde. He, he's,...
That's what I wanna make sure of. Yes, sir. Thank you. Any other discussion from the committee? All those in favor of the motion do pass by committee substitute, please raise your hand. One. Seven. Opposed? Two. The motion carries. Seven were for, sir. Yeah. Yes. Thank you. Thank you. The, uh... I'm just making sure you can count the money at the end of the...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · March 2, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, March 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee advanced six measures: SR 262, calling for a convention to consider a federal balanced-budget amendment; SB 594, addressing digital identity fraud; SB 547, increasing pimping and pandering penalties; SB 591, prohibiting disruption of religious services; SB 592, increasing sentences and limiting parole for certain crimes; and SB 532, requiring notices in certain default court proceedings. The committee tabled SB 413, concerning lease termination after firearm injuries, following questions about eligibility and documentation. Discussion included concerns about the scope of a constitutional convention, protest rights, mandatory life sentences, and who must provide notice of court hearings.
Okay. That, and that may be totally fine, but can you, um, you know, enlighten me as to an example of w- what you're worried about, if it has occurred other places? I'm just worried about people being able to express their religious freedoms in churches and at memorial services without the interference of, uh, disruptive behavior from outside forces. Uh, it...
So but I appreciate what, what you're- That's a fair statement, but it is not a, it does not infringe on the First Amendment, and that's, uh, per a US Supreme Court precedent like Ward versus Rock Against Racism, 1989. So there's precedent been set in, uh- Can you give me that citation again, Senator Gooch? Sure. I'd appreciate that. Ward versus Rock. It,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · March 19, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, March 19, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee took up eight bills and recommended all eight for passage. It unanimously approved HB 304 on municipal courts, HB 447 on gift card fraud, HB 1185 on business court cases, and HB 460 on private attorney-client communications in custody. It approved HB 676, concerning penalties for improper property liens, by 8 to 1. It amended HB 1247, concerning courts’ treatment of state agency interpretations and reviews of agency activities, then approved it by 7 to 3. The committee also unanimously approved amended versions of HB 1290, concerning sexual abuse of vulnerable adults, and HB 267, whose replacement text addressed DUI courses and financial support for children whose parent is killed by a drunk driver.
All right, we'll get back on the agenda. House Bill 460. Representative Panitch, come on down. Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon. We are working off the version that passed the House, LC481499S. Yes. It also passed Senate committee last year. That's right. So last, same one. Thank you for reminding me of that. One we passed out last year. Yes. All...
Sound legal advice depends upon the lawyer being fully informed by the client. When we allow jails to record the calls and then these calls to be used at trial as evidence, we strip that privilege away, and we undermine the very system this body has been sworn to uphold. So what this means in practice is a defendant sitting in the jail has no way to speak...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · March 16, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, March 16, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee considered seven bills and unanimously recommended all seven for passage. Members approved measures on certified court reporters for depositions, probate-court filing procedures, interstate travel for child exploitation, flood-history disclosures for home sales, benefits for injured law enforcement officers, notice of warrant application hearings and family cash bonds, and corrections to state law. The probate-filing, flood-disclosure and warrant-notice measures passed as committee substitutes. Discussion focused most heavily on whether requiring personal service of warrant hearing notices would burden local law enforcement. After the sponsor and legislative counsel said judges would retain flexibility to approve other delivery methods, the committee advanced that bill without another amendment.
It's called making eye contact with the chairman. Something you should not do. Others avoided, especially Watson on the end. All right. That is our agenda, believe it or not.
And thank you, Mike. Appreciate all you continue to do through Georgia Baptist- Yes ... up here as well. Any questions? There was... Was your question for- Yeah ... Mr. Griffin? Five, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. Okay, go ahead. It's actually for Mr. Walker. For Mr. Walker. Mm-hmm. Okay, go ahead. Okay. Thank you. Um, a little de- sidebar conversation over...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · March 9, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, March 9, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee unanimously approved HB 535 on credit for jail time before probation revocation hearings, with added fentanyl trafficking provisions; HB 1196 on trespass involving wild animal enclosures; HB 162 on sealing first-offender records earlier; HR 251 on a public vote to make probate judge elections nonpartisan; and HB 999 on magistrate court fees and an election-law correction. Members amended HB 162 to update two dates to July 1, 2026. The committee also discussed HB 530, which would establish electronic filing in probate courts, but took no action. The chair requested a revised version addressing paper filings by attorneys for possible consideration Thursday.
Well, Senator McNeel has his hands full, so... He's throwing stuffed animals. You may wanna go to the zoo and do a visit so you can learn firsthand what happens at the zoo, so you can give that expertise when you present the bill. Yes. Might be entertaining.
Any questions from the committee for the author? Senator Cowsert. All right. This was my day for questions. I'm gonna leave everybody alone next meeting. I don't believe that would go on. I, I think you were accommodating some of my concerns from last year, that so many of these type of pleadings in probate courts are filed without attorneys or are filed in...
Meeting transcript · Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee · February 19, 2026
Senate Judiciary Committee, February 19, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee unanimously approved SB 443 by committee substitute and sent it to Rules. The chair said a subcommittee had already heard testimony and that the substitute addressed most concerns raised by committee members and speakers. No members asked questions, debated the bill or offered amendments during this meeting.
Trying to find a quorum, and everybody's balancing different committees, and so let's start, though, with a word of prayer. Anybody feeling inspired on the committee? Nobody will look me in the eye. Oh, Senator Still, you up to say a word of prayer? Please bow your heads. Heavenly Father, thank you that we have a day when the non-lawyers outnumber the...
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