PBAGA Legislative Update 03-13-12

Mar 13, 2012

The Second Term of the 2011-12 Legislative Session began on January 9, 2012. This session may last up to 40 legislative days and is anticipated to end sometime in late March or early April. The 30^th Day is known as cross over day and is in theory the last day a bill can cross from one chamber to the other.

[*] Indicates new bills or changes since February 20, 2012 Report.

*HB 541 – This bill is sponsored by Rep. Bubber Epps and others. It proposes to revise code section OCGA 16-10-97 to add law enforcement officers and their family members to those protected from threats and intimidation in response or retaliation for officer’s performance of official duties.  This bill was passed by the House on February 28, 2012 and is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/HB/541

HB 691 – This bill is sponsored by Rep. Billy Mitchell. It proposes to amend OCGA 16-2-21 to require an eyewitness to a felony crime to report it to a law enforcement officer or 911operator. This bill is pending in the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee. (On life support)

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/HB/691

*HB 928 – This bill is sponsored by Rep. Lynne Riley and others. It proposes to amend OCGA 47-17-27 so as to allow the POAB to make changes to their hearing procedures on appeals in contested cases. This bill was passed by the House on March 5, 2012 and is assigned to the Senate Retirement Committee.  http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/HB/928

HB 981 – This bill is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Allison and others. It proposes to amend OCGA 16-11-34.1(b), 16-11-127.3, 16-11-129, 16-11-136, 17-5-51, and 17-5-52.1 related to permitting carrying concealed at the State Capitol buildings; refining definitions and  penalties on carrying; clarifying license requirements; reducing restrictions and placing limitations on seizures during states of emergencies; returning firearms after being held for evidence; and disposal of forfeited or abandoned firearms. This bill is pending in the House Public Safety Committee. (On life support)  http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/HB/981

*HB 987 – This bill is sponsored by Rep. Lynne Riley and Chairman Howard Maxwell. It proposes to create a new code section OCGA 47-17-105 making it the affirmative responsibility of the member to notify the POAB when a change in employment or job description renders them ineligible for membership. This bill was passed by the House on March 5, 2012 and is assigned to the Senate Retirement Committee.

 http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/HB/987

*HB 997 – This bill is sponsored by Rep. B.J. Pak and others. It proposes to create a new code OCGA 16-10-20.1 to make it a felony to file false liens and encumbrances against police officers or any public employees and adds this code section to the Georgia RICO law. It is intended to curb filings by subversive individuals (ie sovereign citizens). This bill was passed by the House on March 5, 2012 and is assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/HB/997

SB 98 – This bill is sponsored by Senator Barry Loudermilk and others. It proposes a new code OCGA 16-11-127.2(a.1) to clarify the places a person with a valid carry licenses can and cannot lawfully possess a firearm. This bill was passed by the Senate last year and has been pending in the House Public Safety Committee.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/SB/98

*SB 231 – This bill is sponsored by Senators Lindsey Tippins and Tommy Williams. It proposes to amend OCGA 42-8-60(d) to specifically add crimes of violence against police officers to the list of crimes denied first offender status. This bill was passed by the Senate last year and was passed by the House on February 22, 201. It now goes to the Governor. http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/SB/231

SB 242 – This bill is sponsored by Senators Steve Thompson and George Hooks. It proposes to amend OCGA 47-17-81 to allow a dues paying member of the fund to collect $500 per month upon a line of duty total and permanent disability. This bill is pending in the Senate Retirement Committee. (On life support)

 http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/SB/242

SB 301 – This bill is sponsored by Senator John Bulloch. It proposes to amend OCGA 27-3-4 to allow any firearm authorized for use in hunting or taking of game to be equipped with a silencer. This is currently allowed under federal law and just removes a restriction under Georgia law for otherwise legally qualified individuals. This bill was passed by the Senate by substitute on January 31, 2012 and is now pending in the House Game, Fish, and Parks Committee.  http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/SB/301

*SB 350 – This bill is sponsored by Senator Don Balfour and others. It proposes to amend OCGA 16-16-2, 17-5-51, and 17-5-52 as related to returning or selling firearms no longer being held for evidentiary purposes. This bill passed the Senate on March 7, 2012.  http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/SB/350

*SB 441 – This bill is sponsored by Senator John Crosby and others. It proposes to create a new code section OCGA 16-10-34 to make it illegal to point a laser devise at a law enforcement officer without that officer’s permission. This bill passed by the Senate on February 27, 2012 and is pending in the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee.

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20112012/SB/441