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Found 257 matching passages in 174 documents.
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · March 3, 2025 · Introduced
Quality Basic Education Act; history of Black Americans; provide coursework
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 706 would add the history of Black Americans to Georgia's required high school civics coursework and require every public school to hold at least one class period on the topic, encouraged to fall in February.
SECTION 1. Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended in Part 2, relating to competencies and core curriculum, by revising subsections (c) and (e) Code Section 20-2-142.1, relating to coursework in the founding philosophy and principles of the United States of...
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 House of Representatives · January 27, 2025 · Passed
Criminal procedure; pretrial proceedings in capital offense cases where the death penalty is sought when the accused has an intellectual disability; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 123 creates a pretrial process for Georgia courts to decide whether a defendant facing the death penalty has an intellectual disability, and bars execution for anyone found to have one.
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 House of Representatives · February 20, 2026 · Introduced
Civil Practice Act; scheduling of civil trials; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 1407 would set detailed new rules for how Georgia courts schedule and call civil jury trials, including calendar deadlines, notice periods, and priority rules for attorneys with multiple cases.
SECTION 1. Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to trials under the "Civil Practice Act," is amended by revising Code Section 9-11-40, relating to time and place of trials, as follows: "9-11-40. (a) Time of trial. All civil cases, including divorce and other domestic relations cases, shall be triable any...
(2) A trial calendar shall be filed and served through the court's electronic filing service no less than 120 days prior to the session of court at which the actions thereon are to be tried. At the same time a trial calendar is filed and served through the court's electronic filing service, it shall also be served on each pro se party via email if said...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 5, 2025 · Introduced
State Board of Education; appointment of state school superintendent effective not later than January 1, 2031; provide - CA
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House resolution would ask voters to amend the state constitution so the State School Superintendent is appointed by the State Board of Education instead of elected, starting no later than 2031, and would change how State Board members are chosen.
(b) Upon indictment for a felony by a grand jury of this state or by the United States, which felony indictment relates to the performance or activities of the office of any public official, the Attorney General or district attorney shall transmit a certified copy of the indictment to the Governor or, if the indicted public official is the Governor, to the...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 19, 2026 · Introduced
Georgia Child Care Alternatives, Resources, and Education Act; Trixtian's Law; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House bill would require pregnancy testing for women held more than 72 hours after arrest, cap bail at $100 for pregnant arrestees who are not dangerous, and require judges to delay prison sentences for pregnant women in favor of supervised probation.
The House Committee on Judiciary, Non-Civil offers the following substitute to HB 1398: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to arrest by law enforcement officers generally, so as to revise provisions relating to the arrests of pregnant women; to provide that women who...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 9, 2026 · Introduced
Criminal procedure; motions and discovery; modify provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A House Judiciary substitute would overhaul Georgia's criminal discovery rules, setting new deadlines for prosecutors and defendants to exchange evidence and adding detailed disclosure requirements for expert witnesses.
(2) The state or prosecuting attorney shall, no later than ten days prior to trial within 30 days of the defendant's arraignment but no later than 30 days prior to trial, or as otherwise ordered by the court, furnish to the defendant a copy of the defendant's Georgia Crime Information Center criminal history, if any, as is within the possession, custody, or...
(B) With respect to any books,; papers,; documents,; photographs,; tangible objects,; audio and visual tapes, including tapes created by third parties and data from posted security cameras and automated license readers; films; and recordings, or copies or portions thereof which are within the possession, custody, or control of the state or prosecution...
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,...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · January 29, 2025 · Passed
Appeal and error; judgments deemed directly appealable; change a provision
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 176 changes Georgia's rules for criminal appeals, creating a new process for defendants to seek late permission to appeal or request a new trial, and setting clearer deadlines for withdrawing guilty pleas.
House Bill 176 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Smith of the 18th, Gunter of the 8th, Evans of the 57th, and Miller of the 62nd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to appeal and error, so as to change a provision relating to judgments deemed directly appealable; to change...
If the judge grants such motion, the defendant shall have 30 days to file an out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal and the judge shall have the discretion to allow an extension of time for filing such motion or notice as set forth in Code Section 5-6-39. (3) An indigent defendant shall have the right to the assistance of counsel to seek any...
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 House of Representatives · February 21, 2025 · Passed
Georgia Survivor Justice Act; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 582, the Georgia Survivor Justice Act, lets defendants and already-sentenced people use evidence of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by an alleged victim to support self-defense claims and seek reduced sentences, while also rewriting the oath and misconduct rules for Georgia peace officers.
SECTION 10. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
(i) The offense was committed before July 1, 2025; or (ii) The petition includes evidence that was not part of the record of the case at any sentencing hearing. (B) Such petition shall be served upon the district attorney. The state shall file its response, if any, within 60 days of being served with such petition. The superior court shall, upon motion for...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · March 16, 2026 · Introduced
House Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation; create
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House resolution would create a 12-member study committee to examine long delays in resolving ineffective assistance of counsel claims after criminal convictions, with a report due by December 1, 2026.
House Resolution 1703 By: Representatives Gunter of the 8th, Smith of the 18th, Leverett of the 123rd, Panitch of the 51st, Holcomb of the 101st, and others A RESOLUTION Creating the House Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, pursuant to the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I,...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 13, 2025 · Introduced
Public Service Commission; discovery rights in proceedings; revise provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A bill in the Georgia House would expand discovery rights before the Public Service Commission so that all parties in any PSC proceeding, not just gas companies in rate cases, can use civil court discovery tools like depositions.
(d) Any application or petition made by the commission, its agents, or its employees pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section shall be heard within 20 days of the filing of the application or petition, irrespective of whether any response to the application or petition has previously been made, and shall be disposed of promptly."
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...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 19, 2025 · Introduced
Criminal procedure; discovery in misdemeanor cases; change provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 525 would rewrite Georgia's discovery rules for misdemeanor criminal cases, requiring defendants who opt into discovery to share witness lists and alibi information with prosecutors in return.
(b) If the defendant elects to have this article apply, the prosecuting attorney, no 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, addresses and current locations, dates of birth, and...
(a) If the defendant elects to have this article apply, the prosecuting attorney shall, at 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...
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 · 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 House of Representatives · March 6, 2026 · Introduced
Criminal procedure; notice upon change of date, time, or location for a required court appearance from that listed upon a uniform traffic citation; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House bill would require court clerks to mail notice when a traffic citation's court date is changed, and would add a second warning notice before someone's driver's license can be suspended for missing court.
(5) When the scheduled court appearance stated on a uniform traffic citation is changed by the judicial officer with jurisdiction over the matter, the clerk of court for such jurisdiction shall notify the accused by first-class mail or by postcard at the address listed on the uniform traffic citation of the new date, time, and location required for his or...
SECTION 2. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · January 27, 2026 · Introduced
Courts; expedition of child custody and visitation modification hearings in certain circumstances; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House bill would require expedited hearings for visitation denial claims, create a presumption favoring shared parenting time, and let judges suspend child support or shift custody when a custodial parent willfully blocks court-ordered visitation.
House Bill 1041 By: Representatives Scott of the 76th, Davis of the 87th, and Schofield of the 63rd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 1 of Chapter 11 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relative to the juvenile code, so as to provide for the expedition of child custody and visitation modification...
SECTION 1. The General Assembly finds that: (1) Children benefit from meaningful relationships with both parents whenever safe and appropriate; (2) Visitation and parenting time orders issued by courts of this state are intended to provide such meaningful relationships, but are too often undermined by willful denial or interference by one parent; (3)...
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