Georgia Update on HR 218 February 2006

 

 

* Indicates change since last posting.

To check the full text of any bill go to www.legis.state.ga.us

The Second Session of the 2005-06 Georgia General Assembly ended March 30, 2006. Each session has a maximum of 40 legislative days. Any bill which did not make it through the legislative process this year will be dead and will have to be re-introduced next year when the new term begins on January 8, 2007.

SB 151 - Proposed to make the Georgia PBA Division President or his designate a voting member of POST Council. Sponsored for the PBA by Senator Brian Kemp of Athens, but died in Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

SB 165 - Proposed to change the State Employees Retirement Fund to allow sworn members of the GSP, GBI, and DNR to retire at age 55 with at least 10 years of service or 25 years of service with no age limit with a 3% multiplier and a maximum draw of 85%. It required an additional employee contribution of 2%. Died in Senate Retirement Committee.

*SB 236 - Proposed to change state employees health insurance laws to allow the spouse and dependent children of state public safety officers killed in the line of duty to remain on the state health insurance plan at the same contribution level as other state employees. Sponsored for the PBA by Senator Ralph Hudgens of Comer. Passed Senate and House. VETOED by Governor Perdue May 5, 2006.

SB 302 - Proposed to change state law to allow carrying of a handgun in a motor vehicle at public gatherings, school safety zones, and on school property. Died in Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

SB 319 - Proposed to change state law to mandate minimum due process rights for law enforcement officers facing disciplinary action resulting in the loss of pay, demotion, or termination. This bill was introduced for the PBA by Senator Robert Brown of Macon. Died in Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

*SB 381 - Proposes to provide a State of Georgia flag to honor any public safety officers killed in the line of duty. Passed Senate and House. Signed by the Governor April 28, 2006.

*SB 396 - Proposes to amend state law to allow a person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any place where he or she has a legal right to be, then he or she has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. Also identifies conditions under which that individual would be immune from criminal prosecution. Passed Senate and House. Signed by the Governor April 27, 2006.

*SB 400 - Proposes to allow law enforcement agencies and officers to operate all terrain vehicles upon the roads of this state in pursuit of their normal duties. Passed Senate and House. Signed by the Governor May 4, 2006.

SB 438 - Proposed to set credentialing time limits for third party health care providers of the state health insurance program. Favorably reported out of Senate Insurance and Labor Committee, but did not make it to the floor for a vote.

SB 439 - Proposed to allow state employees assessed a late charge or surcharge for non compliance of set deadlines to provide proof of attempted compliance. Died in Senate Insurance and Labor Committee.

SB 457 - Proposed to allow an exemption from the eight year service requirement for corrections officers injured by inmate violence as it regards certain health benefits. Died in Senate Appropriations Committee.

SB 544 - Proposed to change state law to allow the seizure of certain property used in conjunction with producing false identification documents. Died in Senate Judiciary Committee.

SR 869 - Proposed a constitutional amendment to allow a local governing body, subject to majority approval of the qualified electors, to exempt peace officers and fire fighters from all or any portion of its ad valorem taxation. Died in Senate Finance Committee.

*HB 101 - Proposes to allow members of the POAB on July 1, 2006 or after to buy credit for years of service prior to January 1, 1976 at $10.00 per month. This bill passed the House and Senate. Signed by Governor Perdue on April 18, 2006.

HB 311 - Proposed to allow members of the State Employees Retirement System that were employed by a county correctional facility immediately prior to becoming a state employee to buy up to seven years of retirement credit. Died in House Retirement Committee.

HB 567 - Proposed to change the state employee retirement plan for all sworn state law enforcement officers to allow them to retire at 25 years of service regardless of age with a 3% multiplier. The multiplier would have applied for each year of service beginning July 1, 2006. Included an additional 1% employee contribution. Sponsored for the PBA by Representative Brooks Coleman of Duluth. Co-sponsored by Representatives Bill Cummings of Rockmart and Ben Bridges of Cleveland. Assigned to House Retirement Committee. Combined with HB 578 and submitted for actuary study, but subsequently died for lack of funding.

HB 578 - Proposed to change state employee retirement plan for GSP, GBI, and DNR sworn officers to allow for an increased multiplier beginning with 2 1/4% in 2006 and topping out at 3% in 2010. Included an additional 2% employee contribution. Died in House Retirement Committee.

HB 947 - Proposed to allow public safety officers to be covered under the Georgia State Indemnification Fund if killed while performing training required to achieve or maintain certification. Died.

*HB 1019 - Proposes to require policy, POST certification and training standards for officers who use a Taser or similar weapon. Passed the House and Senate. Signed by the Governor May 1, 2006.

HB 1113 - Proposed to allow state employees to submit proof of attempted compliance with any established deadline related to the state health insurance plans and provides a means for reimbursement of any financial assessment. Died in House Insurance Committee.

HB 1115 - Proposed to set credentialing time limits for third party health care provides of the state health insurance plans. Died in House Insurance Committee.

*HB 1126 - Proposes to allow exemptions from the eight year service requirement for correctional officers injured by inmate violence as it relates to certain health benefits. Passed House and Senate. Signed by the Governor May 5, 2006.

*HB 1216 - Proposes to require any all terrain vehicles used by law enforcement agencies and officers on the public roads to be registered and licensed in accordance with OCGA 40-2-37. Passed House and Senate. Signed by the Governor May 1, 2006.

HB 1234 - Proposed to allow constables to carry deadly weapons at public gatherings. Died in House Rules Committee.

*HB 1335 - Proposes to allow disclosure and review of first offender records of any applicant, candidate, or peace officer who was discharged after prosecution for a felony offense or any crime involving moral turpitude. Passed House and Senate. Signed by the Governor April 19, 2006.

HB 1425 - Proposed to require prior legislative approval of any state employee health insurance plan change in cost or benefit to the employee. Died in House Government Affairs Committee.

HR 1154 - Proposes to create a study committee to undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems of the Georgia State Patrol to include, but not limited to, pay scale, recruitment, retention, and training. The committee is to report its findings and recommendations on or before December 31, 2006. Assigned to House Public Safety Committee and combined with HR 1396.

*HR 1396 - Proposes to create a study committee to undertake the study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems of state and local law enforcement officers salaries and benefits. The committee is to report its findings and recommendations on or before December 31, 2006. Passed and adopted by the House March 28, 2006.