Georgia Legislative Watch

The House Judiciary Committee (non-civil) moved a new version of Georgia’s sex offender bill through its first legislative hurdle:

Georgia lawmakers on Wednesday moved again toward imposing strict residency requirements on sex offenders, but resisted calls to change other parts of the law that could face legal challenges.

By a 9-4 vote, a House judiciary panel approved changes designed to appease the state’s top court, which overturned the strict new residency requirements in November. But sponsors refused to address other parts of the law, which critics said could ultimately do more harm than good by rendering vast residential areas off-limits to sex offenders.

“If someone wants to incorporate those concerns in a bill, we will hear that,” said state Rep. David Ralston, the proposal’s sponsor. But he added, “I didn’t think it was appropriate to reopen the entire law.”
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In November the Georgia Supreme Court overturned portions of the law, ruling that it failed to protect the property rights of offenders, who could be forced to move if a facility catering to children pops up near their home.

The latest version of the bill aims to get around the court’s concerns by allowing a sex offender who owns his or her home to stay there if a center where children gather later opens up nearby. It carves out a similar exception for sex offenders who have established employment.

I believe the bill is HB 908.

HB197 - Imprisonment sentence reviews; more than 12 years; three-judge panel; repeal
Sponsored by: Fleming,Barry 117th

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 10 of Title 17 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the procedure for sentencing and imposition of punishment, so as to repeal provisions allowing review of sentences of imprisonment for a period exceeding 12 years by a three-judge panel, to provide for the disposition of cases currently under review or in the pipeline for review, to provide duties and responsibilities of the president of The Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia with respect to abolishing the three-judge panel; to amend Code Section 15-6-77 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fees in superior court, so as to correct a cross-reference; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

HB190 - State Court of Mitchell County; full-time judge; provide
Sponsored by: Royal,Richard 171st

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend an Act creating the State Court of Mitchell County (formerly the City Court of Camilla), approved August 17, 1905 (Ga. L. 1905, p. 184), as amended, so as to provide that the judge shall be a full-time judge for said court; to provide for qualifications of the judge; to change the provisions relating to the compensation of the judge; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

SB67 - Superior Courts; specify costs not be considered contingent expenses
Sponsored by: Wiles,John 37th

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 6 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the general provisions of superior courts, so as to specify costs not to be considered contingent expenses; to provide for related matters; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

HB188 - Jury duty; primary caregiver of certain persons; provide exemption
Sponsored by: Rynders,Ed 152nd

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 15-12-1 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to exemptions from jury duty, so as to provide for an exemption for a primary caregiver of a person aged six or older with physical or cognitive limitations; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.