PBA of Georgia Legislative Alert

Georgia Division

Feb 6, 2018

PBA of Georgia Members,

On February 5, 2018, the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee passed HB 703 by unanimous vote. This bill was championed by Representative Jodi Lott of Evans and Representative Bill Hitchens of Rincon.

HB 703 amends the language in OCGA 24-5-510 to change "law enforcement officer" to "public safety officer" as defined in OCGA 45-25-1 and the public safety officers' immediate family. This will centralize, expand, enhance, and strengthen the peer counselor program enacted in 2013.

This bill further creates a new chapter 25 of Title 45 creating OCGA 45-21-1 through 45-21-5 which officially defines the staffing, housing, supplies, materials, duties, and responsibilities of the Governor's Office of Public Safety Support.

The hearing had a cross section of public safety professionals testify before the House Committee including firefighters and police officers, but I would like to especially commend David James, CSRA Chapter PAC Chair and PBA Staff Representative Patrick Cullinan for their moving testimony.

HB 703 now goes to the House Rules Committee and the House Floor for passage before the bill can be transmitted to the Senate. This is a very important bill and every member is urged to make personal contact with your state representative to professionally ask them to support and vote for HB 703.

Joe Stiles, Georgia Executive Director
Southern States Police Benevolent Association

Georgia News

View All

GA Scholarship Recipient Keeps Family First

April 1, 2026

Underneath the Spanish-moss-covered oak trees of Savannah, Georgia, Hudson Zaragoza was raised in a very close-knit family. In fact, Hudson and his sister, Adeline, couldn?t possibly be much closer without being twins ? they were born just 11 months apart. Hudson?s dad, PBA member Michael Zaragoza, reflected on having two children so close together, noting that Hudson and Adeline were always very competitive. ?When Hudson played baseball, Adeline had to play. When Adeline started basketball, that meant that Hudson had to play basketball.? The two didn?t have much of a choice but to be close, though ? they were even in the same grade in school ? and Michael said that, despite the constant competition between his Irish twins, he wouldn?t have had it any other way.

Back The Badge Car Show 2026

February 18, 2026

The Police Benevolent Association of Georgia Augusta's River Region Chapter is hosting the 5th annual Back the Badge Car Show on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the Columbia County Fairgrounds.

UGA Student Uses Scholarship to Fund Study in Music PR

January 28, 2026

"My plans and goals for my career are to work in the media and entertainment industry of advertising," said Callista. "This includes getting my music business certificate from Terry College of Business at UGA."

legal aid Legal News Legal Benefit Meet The Legal Staff What We Are Up To Need To Know Garrity Information Simple Wills Legal FAQ Contact Legal

get involved Join Now Why Join? Donate SSPBA News The Foundation Facebook Twitter Join PBF Mailing List Contact PBA Store

member center Pay Dues My Account Retired Members Military/Active Duty Webmail

media center About the SSPBA SSPBA Board Press Contacts News Photos Videos

governmental affairs Candidate Endorsements Political News Governmental Affairs FAQ