2022 Georgia Legislative PAC Update Report

Mar 17, 2022

Police Benevolent Association of Georgia

2022 Georgia Legislative PAC Update Report

As of March 16, 2022, thru Legislative Day 28 (Cross-over Day)

Note: Bills with the best chance of passing must pass one chamber on or before Cross-over Day (28th legislative day) which was March 15, 2022. Other bills may still pass but it is harder because the bill must be attached to a germane bill. For example, if a Senator has a bill that did not pass the Senate by Cross-over day, the Senator will have to find a House bill that is already in the Senate that is relative to the Senate bill and get permission from the House sponsor of the bill to attach the Senator's bill. If that revised bill passes the Senate, it must come back to the House and pass as amended by the Senate before the last day of the session.

HB 218 – Related to reciprocity to carry concealed in Georgia and other states.

Sponsors: Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton), Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper), and others.

Summary: Amends OCGA 16-11-126 to allow the GA Attorney General to enter into agreements with additional States lawful gun carriers that will recognize GA lawful gun carriers. It also amends OCGA 38-3-87 to further protect GA lawful gun owners during a declared state of emergency. Senate changes were related to certain religious or business issues during a declared state of emergency.

Status: Passed the House last year. Passed the Senate by Substitute last year. House agreed to Senate Substitute 02/03/22.

Link: Georgia General Assembly – HB 218 (ga.gov)

HB 895 – Address and phone numbers of current and former sworn and non-sworn LE employees.

Sponsors: Clint Crowe (R-Jackson), Stan Gunter (R-Blairsville), Brad Thomas (R-Holly Springs), and others.

Summary: Amends OCGA 17-16-8 and 17-16-21 related to witness lists for misdemeanor and felony cases for current and former law enforcement agency officers and non-sworn employers to include only the agency work address and phone number. Creates an affirmative duty for the former employees to maintain a current phone number and address with their former law enforcement agencies.

Status: Passed the House 03/11/22. Assigned to Senate Judiciary.

Link: Georgia General Assembly - HB 895 (ga.gov)

HB 1216 – Enhanced penalty for fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer.

Sponsors: Lauren McDonald (R-Cumming), J. Collins (R-Villa Rica), Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), and others.

Summary: This bill amends OCGA 40-6-395 enhancing the penalties to high aggravated misdemeanor with increasing fines and sentences for first 3 offenses. Fourth offense will be a felony.

Status: Passed the House 02/23/22. Assigned to Senate Judiciary.

Link: Georgia General Assembly – HB 1216 (ga.gov)

HB 1455 – Expand law enforcement function up to one mile beyond Port Authority Property.

Sponsors: Bill Hitchens (R-Rincon), Jesse Petrea (R-Savannah), Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), and others.

Summary: Amends OCGA 52-2-9 and 10 to provided Georgia Port Authority security and police officers certain powers within one mile of property under the jurisdiction of the Port Authority.

Status: Passed the House 03/09/22. Assigned to Senate Public Safety.

Link: Georgia General Assembly - HB 1455 (ga.gov)

SB 84 – Related to membership into POAB for certain communications officers.

Sponsors: John Albers (R-Roswell), Tyler Harper (R-Ocilla), and Randy Robertson (R-Cataula).

Summary: The bill amends OCGA 47-17-1 by adding subsection (M) to allow communication officers as defined by GA POST Council regulations to be eligible for membership in the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund. The Senate Retirement Committee changed the funding source to 75% (about $1.5 million) of the 1% the Georgia Department of Revenue receives to handle receipt and distribution of the E-911 fees for land lines and cell phones. If it passes the effective date will be July 1, 2022.

Status: Passed the Senate 02/14/22. Assigned to the House Retirement.

Link: Georgia General Assembly – SB 84 (ga.gov)

SB 259 – Revisions on certain issues related to firearms.

Sponsors: Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), and others.

Summary: This bill adds civil liability for anyone who violates the prohibition of multijurisdictional data base information on individuals issued or applying for a conceal carry license. It preempts and prohibits a municipality or county to prevent the discharge of any firearms on any 10 acre or greater parcel of land in any manner when given permission by the owner. Establishes civil consequences for municipalities that fail to dispose of unclaimed firearms in accordance with the law.

Status: Passed the Senate on 02/28/22. Assigned to House Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Link: Georgia General Assembly – SB 259 (ga.gov)

SB 319 – Georgia Constitutional Carry Act

Sponsors: Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), Chuck Payne (R-Dalton), Bruce Thompson (R-White), & others.

Summary: This bill makes multiple changes to OCGA Titles 12, 16, 20, 27, 36, 37, and 40 related to carrying, possession, and transporting firearms. Allows for “Lawful weapons carriers” (those not prohibited by law may possess) to carry firearms with or without a carry permit.

Status: Passed the Senate on 02/28/22. Assigned to House Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Link: Georgia General Assembly – SB 319 (ga.gov)

SB 403 – Georgia Behavioral Health and Law Enforcement Co-Responder Act

Sponsors: Ben Watson (R-Savannah), John Albers (R-Roswell), Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), and others.

Summary: This bill creates a new Chapter 11 of Title 37 that establishes a co-responder team made up of law enforcement officers and behavioral health professionals through a community service board. Permits personal or video response of behavioral health personnel.

Status: Passed Senate 03/03/22. Favorably reported out of House Health and Human Services 03/15/22. Pending in House Rules.

Link: Georgia General Assembly – SB 403 (ga.gov)

SB 468 – Georgia State Indemnification Fund.

Sponsors: Kim Jackson (D-Stone Mountain), John Albers (R-Roswell), and others.

Summary: This bill amends OCGA 45-9-85 by refining definitions and qualifications for public safety officers’ line of duty related issues with partial permanent disabilities, total permanent disability, organic brain damage, death, heart attack, stroke, vascular rupture, and suicide.

Status: Passed the Senate on 03/15/22. Assigned to House Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Link: Georgia General Assembly – SB 468 (ga.gov)

SB 479 – Possession of firearm by a convicted felon or felony first offender probationer.

Sponsors: Bo Hatchett (R-Cornelia), Butch Miller (R-Gainesville), Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton), and others.

Summary: Amends OCGA 16-11-131 by adding subsection (g) that spells out that any violation of this code section involving multiple firearms and weapons that each firearm or weapon shall count as a separate offense.

Status: Passed the Senate on 02/28/22. Assigned to House Judiciary Non-Civil.

Link: Georgia General Assembly - SB 479 (ga.gov)

SB 556 – Complimentary driver’s license for current and retired peace officers.

Sponsors: Bruce Thompson (R-White), John Albers (R-Roswell), Mike Dugan (R-Carrollton), and others.

Summary: Amends OCGA 40-5-36 to allow current and retired peace officers (as extensively defined in OCGA 47-17-1) to be eligible for a driver’s license without cost.

Status: Passed the Senate 03/15/22. Assigned to House Motor Vehicles.

Link: Georgia General Assembly - SB 556 (ga.gov)