2023-24 Georgia Legislative Update

Mar 4, 2024

Police Benevolent Association of Georgia

2023-24 Georgia Legislative Update

As of March 1, 2024

Bold Bill Numbers Made Cross-Over Day & Have the Best Chance of Passing the Other Chamber

Last Legislative Day is March 28, 2024

GEORGIA HOUSE

HB 130 – Student Loan Repayment for Peace Officers up to $20,000

Georgia General Assembly - HB 130 (ga.gov)

House Passed 030123. Senate Passed by Substitute 01/29/24. House Agreed to Substitute 02/06/24. Goes to Governor.

Sponsor: Matthew Gambill

Co-Sponsors: J Collins, Bill Hitchens, Bill Werkheiser, Eddie Lumsden, & Yasmin Neal

HB 424 – Courts, Office of the Sheriff, Revise Qualification Requirements

Georgia General Assembly - HB 424 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Public Safety & Homeland Security Passed by Substitute as Amended 02/07/24. House Recommitted 02/21/24. House Committee Favorably Reported by Substitute 02/29/24 (stripped everything except courts).

Sponsor: Ken Vance

Co-Sponsors: Clint Crowe, J. Collins, Bill Hitchens, Eddie Lumsden, & Alan Powell

HB 451 – First Responder Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Supplemental Insurance

Georgia General Assembly - HB 451 (ga.gov)

House Passed by Substitute 02/27/24. Assigned: Senate Insurance & Labor 02/29/24.

Sponsor: Devan Seabaugh

Co-Sponsors: Greg Kennard, Bill Hitchens, Houston Gaines, Beth Camp, & Derrick McCollum

HB 472 – MCCD and Capitol LEO Allowed to Retire on Disability as Other GSP LEO

Georgia General Assembly - HB 472 (ga.gov)

House Passed by Substitute on 02/21/24. Assigned: Senate Retirement 02/22/24.

Sponsor: Clint Crowe

Co-Sponsors: Shaw Blackmon, Bill Hitchens, Eddie Lumsden, Alan Powell, & Joseph Gullett

HB 500 – Arson of a Law Enforcement Vehicle

Georgia General Assembly - HB 500 (ga.gov)

House Passed 03/01/23. Assigned: Senate Judiciary 03/02/23 & Favorably Reported 01/26/24.

Sponsor: Deborah Silcox

Co-Sponsor: Matt Reeves, Scott Hilton, Mike Cheokas, & Lauren Daniel

HB 509 – Adds Family Violence as an Element of Burglary in the First Degree

Georgia General Assembly - HB 509 (ga.gov)

House Passed 03/01/23. Assigned: Senate Children & Families 03/02/23 & Favorably Reported 03/13/23. Senate Recommitted 01/08/24.

Sponsor: Mandi Ballinger

Co-Sponsors: Scott Hilton, Matt Reeves, Lauren Daniel, Mike Cheokas, & Darlene Taylor

HB 590 – Consequences of Online Threat to Peace Officer or Immediate Family

Georgia General Assembly - HB 590 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Judiciary Non-Civil 03/01/23 & Favorably Reported 02/22/24.

Sponsor: Mike Cameron

Co-Sponsors: Clint Crowe, Trey Kelly, Josh Bonner, & Farooq Mughal

HB 824 – SLEO Retirement Plan and Drop Program

Georgia General Assembly - HB 824 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Retirement Committee 03/29/23 & Favorably Reported on 02/29/24.

Sponsor: John Carson

Co-Sponsors: Bill Hitchens, Clint Crowe, Eddie Lumsden, Mike Choakas, & Shaw Blackmon

HB 907 – Revises Motorist Legal Requirements When Encountering a Funeral Procession

Georgia General Assembly - HB 907 (ga.gov)

House Passed 02/21/24. Assigned Senate Public Safety 02/22/24.

Sponsor: Lehman Franklin

Co-Sponsors: Tyler Paul Smith, Danny Mathis, Rick Jasperse, J. Collins, & John Corbett

HB 922 – Criminal Trespass if Entering the Property of Another without Consent

Georgia General Assembly - HB 922 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Judiciary Non-Civil 01/22/24.

Sponsor: Ken Vance

Co-Sponsors: Steve Tarvin, Eddie Lumsden, J. Collins, & Bill Hitchens

HB 923 – Creates Special Driver’s License and Vehicle Tag for Certain Disabilities

Georgia General Assembly - HB 923 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Motor Vehicles 01/22/24.

Sponsor: Rhonda Taylor

Co-Sponsors: Kimberly Alexander, Dewey McClain, Demetris Douglas, & Gregg Kennard

HB 930 – Prohibits Publishing Booking Photos Until After Conviction

Georgia General Assembly - HB 930 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Public Safety & Homeland Security 01/23/24.

Sponsor: Jordon Ridley

Co-Sponsors: Jason Ridley, Matt Reeves, Alan Powell, Mitchell Horner, & Carter Barrett

HB 935 – Back the Blue - Voluntary Contributions to Fund Bonuses for Deputies

Georgia General Assembly - SB 451 (ga.gov)

House Passed by Substitute 02/29/24. Assigned: Senate Retirement 03/04/24. (See SB 110)

Sponsor: Ken Vance

Co-Sponsors: Bill Hitchens, Mike Cameron, Mitchell Scoggins, Johnny Chastain, & Danny Mathis

HB 964 – Mandates Annual Ethics and Inclusivity Training for all First Responders

Georgia General Assembly - HB 964 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Public Safety & Homeland Security 01/24/24.

Sponsor: Sandra Scott

Co-Sponsors: Viola Davis & Kim Schofield

HB 973 – Certain Retirement for Long-Term Service LEO & Others to be Tax Exempt

Georgia General Assembly - HB 973 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Ways & Means 01/06/24.

Sponsor: Beth Camp

Co-Sponsor: J. Collins, Bill Hitchens, Eddie Lumsden, Stan Gunter, & Derrick McCollum

HB 978 – Permit Bicycles to Treat Stop Signs as Yield

Georgia General Assembly - HB 978 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Motor Vehicles 01/24/24 & Favorably Reported by Substitute 02/06/24.

Sponsor: Todd Jones

Co-Sponsors: John Corbett, Scott Holcomb, & David Huddleston

HB 980 – Employee Empowerment & Transparency Act

Georgia General Assembly - HB 980 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Industry & Labor 01/24/24.

Sponsor: Kim Schofield

Co-Sponsors: Doreen Carter, Dewey McClain, Pedro “Pete” Marin, Viola Davis, & Sandra Scott

HB 984 – Insurance Commissioner May Approve Off-Duty Use of Vehicle by Department LEO

Georgia General Assembly - HB 984 (ga.gov)

House Passed 02/12/24. Assigned: Senate Insurance & Labor 02/13/24.

Sponsor: Eddie Lumsden

Co-Sponsors: Steve Tarvin, Darlene Taylor, Noel Williams, Jr., & Joseph Gullett

HB 996 – Provides Arrest Powers to Certified Jailers

Georgia General Assembly - HB 996 (ga.gov)

House Passed 02/27/24. Assigned: Senate Public Safety 02/29/24.

Sponsor: Ken Vance

Co-Sponsor: Joseph Gullett, Alan Powell, Bill Hitchens, & Rob Leverett

HB 1001 – Possession of Driver’s License by Electronic Means

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1001 (ga.gov)

House Passed 02/21/24. Assigned: Senate Public Safety

Sponsor: Clay Pirkle

Co-Sponsors: John Corbett & J Collins

HB 1018 – Prohibits Financial Institutions from Tracking Firearms Sales

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1018 (ga.gov)

House Passed 02/27/24. Assigned: Senate Banks & Banking Institutions 02/29/24.

Sponsor: Jason Ridley

Co-Sponsors: Trey Rhodes, James Burchett, Noel Williams Jr, Jordan Ridley, & Martin Momtahan

HB 1054 – Modifies Options on Refusal to Sign a Citation

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1054 (ga.gov)

House Passed 02/21/24. Assigned: Senate Judiciary 02/22/24.

Sponsor: Yasmin Neal

Co-Sponsors: Bill Hitchens, Ken Vance, Scott Holcomb, & Matt Reeves

HB 1079 – Allows Local Government to Recover Cost of Events not Properly Permitted

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1079 (ga.gov)

Assignment: House Judiciary Non-Civil Favorably Reported on 02/29/24.

Sponsor: Jesse Petra

Co-Sponsors: Ron Stephens & Bill Hitchens

HB 1089 – Allows Expanded Jurisdiction for Campus PD and Other Security Personnel

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1089 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Public Safety & Homeland Security on 02/01/24

Sponsor: Soo Hong

Co-Sponsors: Mandi Ballinger, Chuck Martin, Bill Hitchins, & Clint Crowe

HB 1117 – Allows U.S. Nationals to be Eligible for Certification as a Georgia LEO.

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1117 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Public Safety Homeland Security 02/07/24 & Favorably Reported by Substitute 02/15/24. Re-Committed by Rules Committee 02/16/24.

Sponsor: Bill Hitchens

Co-Sponsors: Eddie Lumsden, J. Collins, Ken Vance, & Jasmin Neal

HB 1126 – Proposes to Eliminate Speed Detection in School Zones by Automated Safety Devises

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1126 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Motor Vehicles 02/07/24 & Favorably Reported 02/20/24.

Sponsor: Clay Pirkle

Co-Sponsors: Rick Jasperse, Joseph Gullett, Robert Dickie, & J. Collins

HB 1150 – Fingerprints Prohibited in Offenses Related to Window or Windshield Tinting

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1150 (ga.gov)

House Passed 02/21/24. Assigned: Senate Judiciary 02/22/24.

Sponsor: J. Collins

Co-Sponsors: John Corbett, Steven Sainz, Clay Pirkle, & Clint Crowe

HB 1168 – Certain Medical Conditions & Disabilities Noted on Driver’s Licenses

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1168 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Public Safety & Homeland Security 02/08/24.

 Sponsor: Rick Townsend

Co-Sponsors: Buddy DeLoach, Steven Saina, Ken Vance, Matt Reeves, & Chas Cannon

HB 1188 – Extends LE Reimbursement to 3 Years and Defines How to Calculate Cost

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1188 (ga.gov)

House Passed 02/27/24. Assigned: Senate Public Safety 02/29/24.

Sponsor: Jody Lott

Co-Sponsor: Alan Powell, Bill Hitchens, J Collins, & Ken Vance

HB 1333 – Allows for Civilian Vehicular Property Damage Crash Investigators

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1333 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Public Safety & Homeland Security 02/22/24.

Sponsor: Becky Evans

Co-Sponsor: Karla Drenner, Viola Davis, Shea Roberts, Billy Mitchell, & Angela Moore

HB 1334 – Enhances Immunity from Civil Liabilities in Defense of Habitation

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1334 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Judiciary Non-Civil 02/22/24.

Sponsor: Devan Seabaugh

Co-Sponsors: Clint Crowe, Trey Kelly, Bill Hitchens, & Ken Vance

HB 1383 – Revises Arrests Without a Warrant by Law Enforcement Officers

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1383 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Judiciary Non-Civil 02/26/24 & Favorably Reported 02/29/24.

Sponsor: Matt Reeves

Co-Sponsors: Bill Hitchens, Stan Gunter, Clint Crowe, Tyler Paul Smith, & Houston Gaines

HB 1395 – Eliminates Immunities for LEO Under Certain Circumstances

Georgia General Assembly - HB 1395 (ga.gov)

Assigned: House Judiciary 02/27/24.

Sponsor: Eric Bell

Co-Sponsors: None

GEORGIA SENATE

SB 12 – Dismantling Georgia Street Gangs Act

Georgia General Assembly - SB 12 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed 02/16/24. Assigned: House Judiciary Non-Civil on 02/22/23

Sponsor: John Albers

Co-Sponsors: Randy Robertson, Mike Dugan, Chuck Payne, Brandon Beach, & Russ Goodman

SB 31 – Delinquent District Attorney MUST Reimburse Attorney General for Cost of Prosecution

Georgia General Assembly - SB 31 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed 03/06/23. Assigned: House Judiciary Non-Civil Favorably Reported 03/23/23. House Recommitted on 03/29/23.

Sponsor: Brandon Beach

Co-Sponsors: Greg Dolezal, Steve Gooch, Kay Kirkpatrick, Bo Hatchett, & Rick Williams

SB 37 – Sheriff Candidates Required to be POST Certified in Good Standing at Qualification

Georgia General Assembly - SB 37 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed. Assigned: House Public Safety & Homeland Security 03/08/23 & Favorably Reported 03/23/23. House Re-Committed 03/29/23.

Sponsor: Randy Robertson

Co-Sponsors: John Albers, Bo Hatchett, Carden Summers, Kay Kirkpatrick, & Lee Anderson

SB 63 – Setting of Bonds, Schedule of Bails, & Limit Unsecured Judicial Releases

Georgia General Assembly - SB 63 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed. House Passed by Substitute. Conference Committee Report Adopted by Senate on 02/01/24 & by House on 02/06/24. Goes to the Governor.

Sponsor: Randy Robertson

Co-Sponsors: Steve Gooch, Matt Brass, Jason Anavitarte, John Kennedy, & Frank Ginn

SB 78 – Impoundment & Seizure of Off-Road Vehicles Fleeing LEO

Georgia General Assembly - SB 78 (ga.gov)

Assigned: Senate Public Safety 02/06/23 & Favorably Reported 02/23/23. Senate Recommitted 01/08/24.

Sponsor: Randy Robertson

Co-Sponsors: John Albers, Brian Strickland, Mike Dugan, & Lee Anderson

SB 110 – Back the Blue Act to Create Supplemental Funds in Support of LEO Pay & Benefits

Georgia General Assembly - SB 110 (ga.gov)

Passed Senate 02/23/23. Assigned: House Insurance 03/28/23 & Favorably Reported by Substitute 03/15/23. House Recommitted 03/29/23. House Insurance Favorably Reported by Substitute 02/16/24. (See HB 935)

Sponsor: Larry Walker III

Co-Sponsors: Steve Gooch, Blake Tillery, Jason Anavitarte, Randy Robertson, Carden Summers, Brandon Beach, Mike Dugan, & Brian Strickland

SB 159 – Possession of Cell Phones Behind Guard Line a Felony

Georgia General Assembly - SB 159 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed 02/23/23. House Passed by Substitute 03/27/23. Senate Disagreed to House Substitute on 03/27/23. House Insisted on 01/08/24. Senate Receded 01/22/24. Goes to the Governor.

Sponsor: Randy Robertson

Co-Sponsors: John Albers, Mike Dugan, Kay Kirkpatrick, & Larry Walker III

SB 176 – Sets Criminal & Civil Penalties for Release of Certain Personal Information of LEO & Others

Georgia General Assembly - SB 176 (ga.gov)

Assigned: Senate Government Oversight 02/15/23 & Passed by Substitute 02/28/23. Senate Recommitted 01/08/24.

Sponsor: Jason Esteves

Co-Sponsors: Brian Strickland, Gloria Butler, Matt Brass, Elena Parent, John Albers, Harold Jones II, & Sonya Halpern

SB 328 – Modernization of POAB Fund

Georgia General Assembly - SB 328 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed 01/31/24. Assigned: House Retirement on 02/01/24.

Sponsor: John Albers

Co-Sponsor: Randy Robertson

SB 329 – POST Accreditation of all Georgia Law Enforcement Agencies

Georgia General Assembly - SB 329 (ga.gov)

Assigned: Senate Public Safety 03/27/23.

Sponsor: Emanuel Jones

Co-Sponsors: John Albers, Gloria Butler, Elena Parent, Sonya Halpern, Randy Robertson, & Harold Jones

SB 359 – Protecting Georgians Act

Georgia General Assembly - SB 359 (ga.gov)

Assigned: Senate Judiciary 03/22/24 & Favorably Reported 03/23/24. Senate Recommitted 01/25/24.

Sponsor: John Albers

Co-Sponsors: Steve Gooch, John Kennedy, Randy Robertson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Brandon Beach, Chuck Hufstetler, Max Burns, Chuck Payne, & Ed Harbison

SB 362 – Sets Standards for Recognition of Labor Organizations to Economic Development Funds

Georgia General Assembly - SB 362 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed 02/08/24. Assigned House Industry & Labor 02/12/24 & Favorably Reported on 02/16/24.

Sponsor: Mike Hodges

Co-Sponsors: Shawn Still, Carden Summers, Shelly Echols, Randy Robertson, John Albers, Billy Hickman, Max Burns, Clint Dixon, Ross Goodman, Marty Harbin, Larry Walker III, Steve Gooch, Jason Anavitarte, John Kennedy, Frank Ginn, Greg Dolezal, Ed Setzler, & Bo Hatchett

SB 363 – Establishes GPSTC Law Enforcement Unit

Georgia General Assembly - SB 363 (ga.gov)

Assigned: Senate Public Safety 01/23/24 & Favorably Reported on 01/29/24. Senate Tabled 02/29/24.

Sponsor: John Albers

Co-Sponsors: Randy Robertson, Jason Anavitarte, Russ Goodman, Carden Summers, John Kennedy, Steve Gooch, Frank Ginn, Max Burns, Greg Dolezal, Brian Strickland, Marty Harbin, Lee Anderson, Bill Cowsert, Sam Watson, Matt Brass, Bo Hatchett, & Brandon Beach

SB 371 – Workers Compensation & Pay Differential for Peace Officers

Georgia General Assembly - SB 371 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed 02/29/24. Assigned: House Public Safety & Homeland Security 03/04/24.

Sponsor: Brian Strickland

Co-Sponsors: Emanuel Jones, Randy Robertson, Gloria Butler, John Albers, Elena Parent, Harold Jones II, & Steve Gooch

SB 414 – Personal Privacy Protection Act

Georgia General Assembly - SB 414 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed on 02/29/24. Assigned: House Judiciary 03/04/24.

Sponsor: John Kennedy

Co-Sponsors: Steve Gooch, Randy Robertson, Jason Anavitarte, John Albers, Chuck Payne, Billy Hickman, Max Burns, Ben Watson, Bo Hatchett, Marty Harbin, Shelly Echols, Mike Hodges, Carden Summers, Larry Walker III, Shawn Still, Frank Ginn, & Sam Watson.

SB 415 – Police Registration Oversight for Tracking and Capture Technology (PROTECT) Act

Georgia General Assembly - SB 415 (ga.gov)

Assigned: Senate Judiciary 01/30/24 & Failed to Pass out of Committee 02/21/24.

Sponsor: Randy Robertson

Co-Sponsors: Chuck Payne

SB 418 – GA POST Training in Animal Fighting and Recognition of Animal Abuse

Georgia General Assembly - SB 418 (ga.gov)

Assigned: Senate Public Safety 01/30/24 & Favorably Reported by Substitute on 02/16/24.

Sponsor: Rick Williams

Co-Sponsors: Lee Anderson, John Albers, Randy Robertson, Kim Jackson, Harold Jones II, & John Kennedy

SB 490 – Redefines Punishments upon Conviction for Fleeing and Eluding a LEO

Georgia General Assembly - SB 490 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed 02/29/24. Assigned: House Judiciary Non-Civil 03/04/24.

Sponsor: Bill Cowsert

Co-Sponsors: John Albers, John Kennedy, Randy Robertson, Steve Gooch, & Bo Hatchett

SB 517 – Strengthens LEO Immunity from Criminal Prosecution and Civil Liability

Georgia General Assembly - SB 517 (ga.gov)

Senate Passed 02/29/24. Assigned: House Judiciary Non-Civil 03/04/24.

Sponsor: Randy Robertson

Co-Sponsors: None

SB 554 – Extends Covid Benefits Under State Indemnification Fund to On or Before 04/18/22.

Georgia General Assembly - SB 554 (ga.gov)

Senate Public Safety Favorable Passed by Substitute 02/26/24. Senate Tabled 02/29/24.

Sponsor: Jason Anavitarte

Co-Sponsors: Randy Robinson & John Albers