FOP Legislative Update Week #4
2/15/08
The 2008 Georgia Legislative Session in Atlanta is shaping up to
be one of a great deal of legislative movement, hard core politics,
some legislative stalling, and a mass amount of issues. There are
forty legislative days in the Georgia General Assembly’s session.
Monday, February 11, was legislative day 15. Thursday, February 14,
was legislative day 18. The House and Senate are not in session
Friday, February 15, and Monday, February 18, however there are
plenty of committee and other types of meetings occurring on both
days.
This past week saw the Speaker of the House present his GREAT
Tax Plan to the House Ways and Means Tax Reform Subcommittee. The
proposal would do away with ad valorem taxes used to fund education,
and replace them with an expanded sales tax that would cover a wide
array of services not currently being taxed. Also, the statewide
water plan, funding mechanisms for transportation improvements, a
wide array of tax shifting proposals, and other pieces of
legislation have seen legislative movement, just to name a few. We
have been deeply involved with all matters affecting your industry
from the beginning and continue to work with legislators and staff
to provide effective counsel and tactical guidance on your behalf.
Please read the following legislative update carefully. A
summary of each piece of legislation is provided with the status of
the bill and a link to the bill itself on the Georgia Legislature’s
website. It is very important you notify the Legislative Committee
of any piece of legislation included in the synopsis that you have
any type of concern about.
As usual, FOP’s legislation is constantly changing and evolving.
This week there were two new bills introduced, SB 450 increases
aggravated stalking penalties. House Bill 209 (pertaining to
retirement benefits for peace officers who served as narcotics
agents) was passed in the House and was read for the first time in
the Senate Retirement Committee. HBs 1118 (reporting unlawful
activity on a peace officer) and 1119 (convictions of driving
without a license maintained by DDS) along with SBs 350 (penalties
for driving without a license), 373 (suspension of a peace officer’s
certification), 430 (DNA database for the GBI) were all read for the
second time in their respective committees.
We are at the capitol every day working to produce positive results
for the FOP. Please call or contact the Legislative Committee with
any concerns, issues, or feedback you may have.
Below you will find a list of bills and resolutions that are most
important to FOP. If you would like to retrieve a complete copy of
a bill or resolution you can access the information from the links
below.
Bills of Concern:
HB 4: Aims to prohibit the use of cellular, hands-free, or mobile
telephones by holders of instruction permits and Class D licenses and to
add a points penalty for the unlawful use of cellular, hands-free, or
mobile telephones by holders of instruction permits and Class D
licenses.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb4.htm
Status: Reading Pending
HB 5: Aims to add a points penalty for the use of cellular, hands-free,
or mobile telephones or other wireless communication devices under
certain circumstances; to change certain provisions related to
exercising due care in operating a motor vehicle and the proper use of
radios and mobile telephones.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb5.htm
Status: House Motor Vehicles Second Read 1/22/2007
HB 6: Aims to prohibit certain confiscation of legally owned and
carried firearms during certain emergency conditions.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/versions/hb6_LC_29_2480_a_3.htm
Status: House withdrawn, recommitted 4/20/2007
HB 7: Aims to change certain provisions regarding the transporting of
certain firearms; to provide for related matters.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb7.htm
Status: Reading Pending
HB 26: Aims to provide for limitations on admission of extrinsic
transactions into evidence.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb26.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/11/2007
HB 48: Aims to provide definitions relating to the Georgia State
Indemnification Fund. It defines ‘in the line of duty’ for emergency
medical technicians, fire fighters, law enforcement officers, prison
guards, and state highway employees.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb48.htm
Status: House Passed/Adopted 3/19/2007. Senate Passed/Adopted
4/19/2007. Vetoed by Governor 5/30/2007.
HB 74: Aims to authorize peace officers rendering assistance to state
or local law enforcement agencies to exercise the power of arrest.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb74.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/23/2007
HB 75: Aims to provide for additional offenses which amount to felony
fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer in the case of a serious
traffic offense.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb75.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/23/2007
HB 89: Aims to allow law abiding citizens to transport a concealed
weapon in a private motor vehicle.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb89.htm
Status: House Passed/Adopted 2/12/2007. Senate Passed/Adopted
1/17/2008. Senate Conference Committee Appointed 2/5/2008
HB 99: Aims to provide tax exemptions for unremarried surviving spouses
of peace officers and firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
Also provides a definition for the term "in the line of duty" as the
term is used to provide a homestead exemption for the full value of the
homestead with respect to all ad valorem taxes for designated
unremarried surviving spouses.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb99.htm
Status: House Ways and Means Second Read 1/24/2007
HB 114: Aims to require the use of seat belts in pickup trucks.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb114.htm
Status: House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Second Read
1/25/2007
HB 126: Aims to provide that a verdict in a felony case, other than a
case involving the death penalty, shall be agreed to by at least 11 of
the 12 jurors. Additionally, it intends to provide that a verdict in a
criminal case in which the death penalty is sought shall be agreed to by
all 12 jurors
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb126.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/25/2007
HB 143: Aims to prohibit certain employers from prohibiting employees
from lawfully carrying and possessing firearms in locked motor vehicles
and to provide for immunity for employers who allow employees to possess
firearms in locked vehicles on the premises of such employer.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb143.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/25/2007
HB 149: Aims to require policies that prohibit law enforcement officers
from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether to
stop a motorist and to require annual training of law enforcement
officers on impermissible uses of race and ethnicity in stopping
vehicles. Additionally it intends to require law enforcement officers
to document the race, ethnicity, and gender of a motorist and
passengers.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb149.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/26/2007
HB 150: Relates to retirement benefits under the Employees' Retirement
System of Georgia for those in service in the Uniform Division of the
Department of Public Safety, so as to provide that certain members of
such retirement system may elect to pay an additional employee
contribution to such retirement system; to provide that any such person
may retire at age 55 or after attaining at least 25 years of creditable
service and receive an enhanced retirement benefit; to provide that any
such election shall be irrevocable; to provide for persons in service on
July 1, 2008
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb149.htm
Status: House Retirement Second Read 1/26/2007
HB 170: Relates to service creditable toward retirement benefits under
the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia, so as to provide that any
person eligible to obtain creditable service for prior service as a
temporary full-time employee may obtain additional creditable service as
a temporary full-time or part-time employee. Also, it intends to
provide a method for determining an apportionment of creditable service
for days worked.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb170.htm
Status: House Retirement Second Read 1/29/2007
HB 174: Aims to prohibit the use of cellular, hands-free, or mobile
telephones by holders of instruction permits and Class D licenses and to
add a points penalty for the unlawful use of cellular, hands-free, or
mobile telephones by holders of instruction permits and Class D licenses
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb174.htm
Status: House Withdrawn, Recommitted 4/20/2007.
HB 200: Aims to require the use of seatbelts in pickup trucks. It also
provides that the failure to use such safety belts may be evidence of
causation, negligence, and contributory negligence. It also states that
the failure to use a safety belt shall not be the basis for cancellation
of insurance coverage or increase in insurance rates. Failure to use a
safety belt may be used to diminish any recovery for damages arising out
of the ownership, maintenance, occupancy, or operation of a motor
vehicle.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb200.htm
Status: House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Second Read 1/31/2007
*HB 209: Aims to change the date by which application for creditable
service for prior service as narcotics agents must be submitted and to
provide conditions for an effective date and automatic repeal. In order
to be eligible for such creditable service, the member must make
application as prescribed by the board not later than December 31, 2008,
or one year after becoming a member of the retirement system, whichever
date is later, provide proof of such prior service, and pay the employee
contributions which he or she would have paid if he or she had been a
member of the retirement system, together with regular interest thereon.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb209.htm
Status: House Passed/Adopted 2/11/2008. Senate Retirement First Read
2/12/2008
HB 218: Relates to the application of traffic laws and enforcement by
security guards employed with the Georgia Ports Authority, so as to
require that those employees of the authority who are authorized to
exercise the powers of arrest shall be certified peace officers subject
to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb218.htm
Status: House Passed/Adopted 3/20/2007. Senate Passed/Adopted
4/10/2007. Vetoed by Governor 5/30/2007. House overrides Governor’s
veto 1/14/2008. Transmitted to Senate Public Safety 1/14/2008
HB 298: Relates to tax exemptions for unremarried surviving spouses of
peace officers and firefighters, so as to provide a definition for the
term "in the line of duty" as the term is used to provide a homestead
exemption for the full value of the homestead with respect to all ad
valorem taxes for designated unremarried surviving spouses of peace
officers or firefighters who are killed in the line of duty.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb298.htm
Status: House Ways and Means Second Read 2/9/2007
HB 308: Aims to require a procedure for enhancing eyewitness
identification accuracy; to provide for general guidelines relating to
the development of eyewitness identification protocol and exceptions
thereto; to provide for procedures to compose and present photo lineups
and live lineups to witnesses; to provide for instructions to be given
to witnesses who view lineups; to provide for documentation of
identification procedures; to provide for training in enhancing
eyewitness identification accuracy.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb308.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 2/9/2007
HB 368: Aims to allow the commissioner of public safety, with the
approval of the Board of Public Safety, to sell or trade-in surplus
motor vehicles and use the proceeds of the sale or trade-in towards the
purchase of new motor vehicles; to provide that the commissioner, with
the approval of the board and subject to available funds, shall have the
discretion to determine when to purchase new motor vehicles for the
department.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb368.htm
Status: House Passed/Adopted 2/27/2007. Senate Recommitted 3/30/2007.
HB 373: Relates to retirement benefits in the Employees´ Retirement
System of Georgia for those in service in the Uniform Division of the
Department of Public Safety, so as to provide that such persons may
return to full-time employment and retain their retirement benefits.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb373.htm
Status: House Retirement Second Read 2/12/2007
HB 560: Relates to use of speed detection and traffic-control signal
monitoring devices, so as to change certain provisions relating to speed
detection devices; to define a term; to provide certain restrictions for
photographic speed detection devices.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb560.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 2/28/2007
HB 631: Relates to inadmissibility of evidence obtained by speed
detection devices in certain areas, so as to remove the restriction on
use of speed detection devices on a highway which has a grade in excess
of 7 percent.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb631.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 3/1/2007
HB 639: Relates to those in service in the Uniform Division of the
Department of Public Safety, so as to provide that certain members of
such retirement system may elect to pay an additional employee
contribution to such retirement system; to provide that any such person
may retire at age 55 or after accruing at least 25 years of creditable
service and receive an enhanced retirement benefit; to provide that any
such election shall be irrevocable; to provide for persons in service on
July 1, 2008
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb639.htm
Status: House Retirement Second Read 3/19/2007
HB 650: Aims to increase fines for failure to wear safety belts. It
states that anyone guilty of the offense of failure to wear a seat
safety belt shall be fined no more than $50 for the first offense and no
more than $100 for the second offense. The current fine for failure to
wear a safety belt is $15 for adults and $25 for minors.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb650.htm
Status: House Motor Vehicles Second Read 3/19/2007
HB 653: Relates to bombs, explosives, and chemical weapons and aims to
establish punishment for persons who manufacture, possess, transport,
distribute, place, or use a hoax device or replica of a destructive
device or detonator with the intent to cause another to believe that
such hoax device or replica is or contains a destructive device or
detonator.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb653.htm
Status: House Withdrawn, Recommitted 4/20/2007
HB 658: Relates to allowance payable under the Employees´ Retirement
System of Georgia upon death, disability, or involuntary separation from
employment, restrictions on separating from state service, and employee
entitled to involuntary separation benefits, so as to provide that
disability benefit calculations shall be applicable without regard to
age.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb658.htm
Status: House Retirement Second Read 3/19/2007
HB 659: Relates to prior service credit and payments to obtain credit
in the Employees´ Retirement System of Georgia, so as to extend the date
by which a member must apply for creditable service for certain military
service.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb659.htm
Status: House Retirement Second Read 3/19/2007
HB 669: Aims to change certain provisions relating to the membership of
the Georgia Peace Officer Standards Board and Training Council.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb669.htm
Status: House Public Safety and Homeland Security Second Read 3/20/2007
HB 699: To create and establish the "Georgia Law Enforcement Tuition
and Training Act" relating to traffic-control signal monitoring devices,
so as to make substantial revisions to provisions relating to
traffic-control signal monitoring devices; to provide regulation of the
use of traffic-control signal monitoring devices by the Department of
Public Safety; to create and establish the "Law Enforcement Tuition
Trust Fund."
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb699.htm
Status: House Motor Vehicles Second Read 3/27/2007
HB 722: Aims to require policies that prohibit law enforcement officers
from impermissibly using race or ethnicity in determining whether to
stop a motorist; to require annual training of law enforcement officers
on impermissible uses of race and ethnicity in stopping vehicles; to
require law enforcement officers to document the race, ethnicity, and
gender of a motorist and passengers.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb722.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 3/27/2007
HB 964: Aims to revise provisions relating to the operation of certain
vessels in Georgia ports and harbors.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb964.htm
Status: House Public Safety and Homeland Security Second Read 1/18/2008
HB 966: Aims so as to require a license to carry a pistol or revolver
or renewal license to carry a pistol or revolver be issued more quickly
under certain circumstances; to provide legislative findings; to provide
for a cause of action and civil remedies where a license or renewal
license is not timely issued
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb966.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-civil) Second Read 1/18/2008
HB 968: Aims to exempt certain parks from the limitation of ten miles
over the speed limit before making a case for speeding based on speed
detection devices; to exempt certain counties from the limitation of
using a speed detection device where the highway grade is more than 7
percent.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb968.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-civil) Second Read 1/18/2008
HR 30: Proposes an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide that
the General Assembly shall be authorized to enact legislation and
appropriate funds necessary to provide for retirement credit for retired
members of the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund for service
rendered prior to January 1, 1976.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hr30.htm
Status: House Retirement Second Read 1/23/2007
HR 424: Creating the House Study Committee on the Power of Arrest and
Peace Officer Certification in Georgia.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hr424.htm
Status: House Withdrawn, Recommitted 4/20/2007.
SB 1: Aims to provide that it shall be unlawful for persons required to
register as sexual offenders to photograph a minor.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/versions/sb1_As_passed_Senate_5.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 2/12/2007. House Withdrawn, Recommitted
4/20/2007.
SB 4: Aims to provide for penalties for making a false statement
relating to motor vehicles or traffic or aiding or abetting another to
do so.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb4.htm
Status: Senate Public Safety First Read 1/22/2007
SB 15: Aims to change certain provisions relating to driver’s license
requirement, surrender of prior licenses, and prohibition of local
licenses and to change certain provisions relating to driving while
license suspended or revoked. Additionally, it intends to specify
punishments for driving without being licensed making the third offense
in five years a felony.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/versions/sb15_As_passed_Senate_5.htm
Status: Senate Passed Adopted 1/26/2007. House Passed/Adopted
4/20/2007. Vetoed by Governor 5/30/2007
SB 21: Aims to change the punishment when the murder victim is a peace
officer, corrections employee, or firefighter while engaged in the
performance of his or her official duties. The punishment would be life
without parole or death penalty.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb21.htm
Status: Senate Judiciary First Read 1/10/2007
SB 36: Relates to the appointment of the executive director of the
Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, so as to provide
for salary increases for certified investigators employed with the
council consistent with other state employed certified investigators.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb36.htm
Status: Senate Appropriations First Read 1/23/2007
SB 43: Aims to prohibit certain employers from prohibiting employees
from lawfully carrying and possessing firearms in locked motor vehicles;
to provide for immunity for employers who allow employees to possess
firearms in locked vehicles on the premises of such employer unless the
employer knew or, in the exercise of ordinary care, should have known
that the person using such firearm would commit such criminal act on the
employer’s premises. Nothing contained in this Code section shall
create a new duty on the part of the employer.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb43.htm
Status: Senate Judiciary Favorable Reported 2/09/2007. Senate
Recommitted 1/14/2008
SB 80: Aims to amend the "Public Retirement Systems Investment
Authority Law," so as to define certain terms; to provide that certain
public retirement systems may invest retirement system assets in certain
types of alternative investments, private placements, and other private
investments; to provide that such investments may be made up to a
certain amount; to shield information related to such investment from
public scrutiny; to provide for a code of ethics; to amend the code
relating to when public disclosure of records is not required and
disclosure exempting legal authority, so as to exempt certain public
records from public inspection.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb80.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 3/20/2007. House Retirement Second Read
3/28/2007
SB 91: Provides that any driver of a vehicle willfully to fails or
refuses to bring his or her vehicle to a stop or otherwise to flees or
attempts to elude a pursuing police vehicle or police officer when given
a visual or an audible signal to bring the vehicle to a stop shall be
guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 or
imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than five years or
both.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb91.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 3/1/2007. House withdrawn, recommitted
4/20/2007
SB 100: Aims to increase penalties for knowingly manufacturing,
selling, or distributing false identification documents. Penalties for
persons under the age of 21 would only be a misdemeanor.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb100.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 3/1/2007. House Passed/Adopted
4/20/2007. Vetoed by Governor 5/23/2007
SB 119: Aims to provide victims of crime and members of their immediate
family with certain rights; to provide for certain procedures relating
to a victim of a crime or member of the immediate family; to provide for
certain exemptions for a victim of a crime; to provide certain
requirements relating to the testimony of the victim of a crime; to
provide for application to certain juvenile delinquency proceedings.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb119.htm
Status: Senate Recommitted 1/14/2008
SB 125: Aims to specify that instruments charging violations of speed
regulations shall state whether the violation occurred on a two-lane
road or highway; to provide for additional penalties to be administered
by the Department of Driver Services for certain traffic offenses.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb125.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 3/27/2007. House Public Safety and
Homeland Security Second Read 3/29/2007
SB 127: Relates to retirement benefits under the Employees´ Retirement
System of Georgia for those in service in the Uniform Division of the
Department of Public Safety, so as to provide that certain members of
such retirement system may elect to pay an additional employee
contribution to such retirement system; to provide that any such person
may retire at age 55 or after attaining at least 25 years of creditable
service and receive an enhanced retirement benefit; to provide that any
such election shall be irrevocable.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb127.htm
Status: Senate Retirement First Read 2/9/2007
SB 161: Relates to reexamination of persons receiving disability
benefits under the Employees´ Retirement System of Georgia, effect of
refusal to undergo examination, and effect of ability to engage in
gainful employment, so as to delete provisions providing for physical
examinations done at a place convenient to the beneficiary; to provide
that a beneficiary who has not reached the age of 60 shall submit to an
examination; to provide that the disability retirement benefit of
certain members shall be reduced by such amounts that the beneficiary
receives from workers´ compensation.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb161.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 3/19/2007. House withdrawn, recommitted
4/20/2007
SB 174: Aims to provide for the development of medical and physical
fitness standards for persons employed in positions in state government;
to provide for the appointment of a medical review board; to provide for
payment; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for the
expenditure of funds; to provide for applicability.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb174.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 3/20/2007. House withdrawn, recommitted
4/20/2007
SB 219: Relates to sexual offenses, so as to provide for seizure and
forfeiture of motor vehicles operated by a person to facilitate certain
sexual offenses.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb219.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 3/27/2007. House State Institutions and
Property Second Read 3/29/2007
SB 240: Aims to provide that any member of certain retirement systems
shall be entitled to direct that all employer and employee contributions
made by or on behalf of him or her, together with earnings thereon, be
transferred to an account of his or her choosing so that he or she may
manage the investment of such funds without the expertise or
intervention of such retirement systems and that his or her membership
and participation in any public retirement system be terminated; to
provide that such persons shall thereafter be ineligible to participate
in a public retirement system.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/fulltext/sb240.htm
Status: Senate Retirement First Read 2/28/2007
Bills Introduced in 2008:
HB 875: Aims to provide for the continuation of the established benefit
formula; to provide conditions for an effective date and automatic
repeal; to repeal conflicting laws.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb875.htm
Status: House Passed/Adopted 1/30/2008. Senate Retirement First Read
1/31/2008.
HB 902: Aims to repeal certain provisions regarding sentencing of
defendants guilty of crimes involving bias or prejudice, circumstances,
and parole; to repeal certain provisions relating to notification to
seek enhanced penalty; to repeal certain provisions relating to
determination of defendant's guilt, object of the offense, and
enhancement of sentence; to provide for related matters; to repeal
conflicting laws.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb902.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/28/2008
HB 924: Aims to increase the penalties for teenage drivers convicted of
multiple safety belt violations in passenger vehicles.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb924.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/29/2008
HB 971: Aims to provide that a driver’s license issued by another state
to an alien illegally present in the United States shall not be
recognized as valid in the State of Georgia.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb971.htm
Status: House Motor Vehicles Second Read 1/28/2008
HB 978: Aims to allow law enforcement officers to seize the vehicles of
drivers who are not in the country legally and are involved in a traffic
accident.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb978.htm
Status: House Special Rules Second Read 1/29/2008
HB 983: Aims to provide for the arrest of certain offenders by
out-of-state law enforcement officers.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb983.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/29/2008. House
Committee Favorably Reported 2/6/2008.
HB 997: Aims to provide for written policies for enhancing witness
identification and related protocol.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb997.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 1/29/2008. House
Committee Favorably Reported 2/6/2008.
HB 1071: Aims to make it unlawful to knowingly remove or attempt to
remove a taser from certain persons.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1071.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) First Read 2/1/2005. House
Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 2/5/2008.
*HB 1118: Aims to define certain terms; to provide that a law
enforcement agency may receive and investigate complaints from any peace
officer concerning the possibility of unlawful activity on the part of
another peace officer; to prohibit the disclosure of identity; to
provide that no law enforcement agency shall retaliate against a peace
officer for disclosing suspected unlawful activity; to provide for legal
remedy.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1118.htm
Status: House Judiciary Second Read 2/8/2008
*HB 1119: Aims to require the reports of convictions of driving without
a license to be maintained by the Department of Driver Services; to
specify a punishment for driving without a license; to require a person
convicted of driving without a license to be fingerprinted for
identification purposes.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/hb1119.htm
Status: House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 2/8/2008.
SB 339: Aims to allow persons who have valid firearms licenses shall be
authorized to possess and carry firearms in state parks, historic sites,
and recreational areas; so as to provide that persons who have valid
firearms licenses shall be authorized to possess and carry firearms in
wildlife management areas.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb339.htm
Status: Senate Judiciary Second Read 1/15/2008
*SB 350: Aims to change certain provisions relating to driver's license
requirement, surrender of prior licenses, and prohibition of local
licenses; to change certain provisions relating to driving while license
suspended or revoked; to specify punishments and exceptions for driving
without being licensed; to determine nationality of person charged with
felony or driving under the influence and confined in a jail facility,
so as to provide for determination of nationality of person convicted of
driving without being licensed.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb350.htm
Status: Senate Passed/Adopted 2/7/2008. House Judiciary (Non-Civil)
First Read 2/8/2008. House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Second Read 2/11/2008.
SB 354: Aims to provide another basis for first degree vehicular
homicide.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb354.htm
Status: Senate Motor Vehicles First Read 1/18/2008
*SB 373: Aims to provide for the emergency suspension of a peace
officer’s certification under limited circumstances; to modify certain
requirements pertaining to officer interviews for employment; to change
references consistent with the modification.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb373.htm
Status: Senate Public Safety Second Read 2/11/2008.
SB 377: Aims to establish the office of natural resource law enforcement
officer; to provide for the appointment of such officers; to provide for
the qualifications of such officers; to provide for the provision of
coverage for general liability and fidelity bonds; to provide for deputy
natural resource law enforcement officers; to provide for the terms of
such appointments; to provide for duties and powers; to redesignate
conservation rangers as natural resource law enforcement officers.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb377.htm
Status: Senate Natural Resources and Environment 1/30/2008.
SB 421: Aims to change the penalties for the crime of knowingly
manufacturing, selling, or distributing false identification documents
based upon the age of the person convicted and the nature of the crime.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb421.htm
Status: Senate Judiciary First Read 2/7/2008
*SB 430: Aims to provide that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation may
include dissemination of DNA information in a data base and compare such
information to samples collected from evidentiary materials; to allow
law enforcement officials, request for search, separate statistical data
base authorized, and fee for search and comparative analysis.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb430.htm
Status: Senate Public Safety Second Read 2/14/2008
*SB 448: Aims to change provisions relating to the procedure for
indictment of a peace officer for crimes in the performance of his or
her duties; to change provisions relating to the rights of the officer.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb448.htm
Status: Senate Judiciary Read and Referred 2/12/2008.
*SR 450: Aims to increase the penalty for aggravated stalking.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sb450.htm
Status: Senate Judiciary Read and Referred 2/13/2008
SR 820: Aims to create the Joint Department of Natural Resources Law
Enforcement Study Committee.
http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/sum/sr820.htm
Status: Senate Natural Resources and Environment First Read 2/6/2008
Mo Thrash Megan Langgood
David Stone