2023 Georgia Legislative Final PAC Update Report

May 30, 2023

Police Benevolent Association of Georgia

2023 Georgia Legislature Passed LE Related Bills Sent to Governor

As of 05/05/2023

GEORGIA HOUSE

HB 35 – Expands the Authority and Duties of the Port Authority LEO

Georgia General Assembly - HB 35 (ga.gov)

Passed House and Senate. Effective 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 05/01/23.

Sponsor: Bill Hitchens

Co-Sponsor: Ron Stephens, Eddie Lumsden, Edna Jackson, & Al Williams

HB 88 – Coleman-Baker Act. Provides Means to Request for Cold Case Murder Case Reviews

Georgia General Assembly - HB 88 (ga.gov)

Passed the House and Senate. Effective 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 04/28/23.

Sponsor: Houston Gaines

Co-Sponsor: Bill Werkheiser, Alan Powell, Clint Crowe, Stacey Evans, & Marcus Weidower

HB 139 – Disclosure Protections for LE Agency Nonsworn Employees

Georgia General Assembly - HB 139 (ga.gov)

Passed House & Senate. Effective 07/01/23.  Signed by Governor Kemp 04/26/23.

Sponsor: Clint Crowe

Co-Sponsors: Derrick McCollum, Danny Mathis, & Carter Barrett

HB 142 – Allows Two or More Universities/Colleges to Create Unified Police Forces

Georgia General Assembly - HB 142 (ga.gov)

Passed House & Senate. Effective 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp on 05/03/23.

Sponsor: Mesha Mainor

Co-Sponsors: J. Collins, Mack Jackson, Eddie Lumsden, Clint Crowe, & Marvin Lim

HB 227 – Criminal Interference with Critical Infrastructure 

Georgia General Assembly - HB 227 (ga.gov)

Passed House & Senate. Effective 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 04/26/23.

Sponsor: Robert Leverett

Co-Sponsors: Bruce Williamson, Tyler Paul Smith, Victor Anderson, James Burchett, & 1 Other

HB 268 – CJCC Grants for Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Initiatives

Passed House & Senate: Effective 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 04/26/23.

Sponsor: John Corbett

Co-Sponsors: Alan Powell, Jason Ridley, Danny Mathis, & Matt Barton

HB 373 – September 11^th First Responder Appreciation Day

Georgia General Assembly - HB 373 (ga.gov)

Passed House & Senate. Effective 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 04/26/23.

Sponsor: Shelia Jones

Co-Sponsors: Steven Sainz, Dexter Shaper, Dexter McCollum, & Sandra Scott

HB 437 – State Indemnification Fund; Transfer to Commissioner of Administrative Services

Georgia General Assembly - HB 437 (ga.gov)

Passed House & Senate. Effective on passing. Signed by Governor 05/03/23.

Sponsor: Bill Hitchens

Co-Sponsors: Eddie Lumsden, Ken Vance, Derrick McCollum, & Clint Crowe

GEORGIA SENATE

SB 11 – GBI Concurrent Jurisdiction in Violations of Georgia Terrorism Laws

Georgia General Assembly - SB 11 (ga.gov)

Passed Senate & House. Effective Date 04/26/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 05/01/23.

Sponsor: John Albers

Co-Sponsors: Randy Robertson, Mike Dugan, Chuck Payne, Brandon Beach, & Kate Kirkpatrick 

SB 44 – Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act

Georgia General Assembly - SB 44 (ga.gov)

Passed Senate & House. Effective Date 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 04/26/23.

Sponsor: Bo Hatchett

Co-Sponsor: John Kennedy, Steve Gooch, Randy Robinson, Lee Anderson, John Albers & 17 more.

SB 60 – Secondary Metal Recyclers, Certain Metals & Vehicles Transporting are Contraband.

Georgia General Assembly - SB 60 (ga.gov)

Passed Senate & House. Various effective dates. Signed by Governor Kemp 04/26/23.

Sponsor: Bo Hatchett

Co-Sponsors: Frank Ginn, John Albers, Randy Robinson, John Kennedy, Max Burns & 13 Others. 

SB 92 – Prosecuting Attorneys Oversight Commission

Georgia General Assembly - SB 92 (ga.gov)

Passed Senate & House. Effective on passing. Signed by Governor Kemp 05/05/23.

Sponsor: Randy Robertson

Co-Sponsors: John Kennedy, Larry Walker III, Bill Cowsert, Matt Brass, & Jason Anavitarte

SB 155 – Harm of Public Safety Animal and Search & Rescue Animal with Increased Penalties 

Georgia General Assembly - SB 155 (ga.gov)

Passed Senate & House. Effective 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 04/26/23.

Sponsor: Kay Kirkpatrick

Co-Sponsors: John Albers, Randy Robertson, Brian Strickland, Shawn Still, Valencia Seay & 5 Others

SB 215 – Allows Public LEO to Request Removal of Certain Personal Identifiable Information

Georgia General Assembly - SB 215 (ga.gov)

Passed Senate & House. Effective 07/01/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 04/26/23. Sponsor: Matt Brass

Co-Sponsors: Michael Rhett, Randy Robertson, Jason Esteves, & Steve Gooch

SB 272 – Re-establishes Criminal Case Data Base Exchange Board to Include LE Agencies

Georgia General Assembly - HB 272 (ga.gov)

Passed Senate & House. Effective 04/26/23. Signed by Governor Kemp 05/01/23.

Sponsor: John Kennedy

Co-Sponsors: Blake Tillery, Brian Strickland, Bo Hatchett, Gloria Butler, & Sonya Halpern