Legislative Update – Day 39

Today marks Legislative Day 39, which means we are two days away from Sine Die, the final day of the 2023-2024 biennial legislative session, which concludes months of debate and decision-making on legislation that will continue to shape the future of Georgia’s criminal legal system.

As we approach the end of the legislative session, our attention shifts towards advancing the bills we support to ensure they reach the governor’s desk. We are also actively collaborating with our partners to prevent as many harmful bills as we can from becoming law.

Action Alerts

• Call your senator and urge them to vote NO on HB 505, a bill that would make rioting a felony offense, legalize vehicular harm during a protest, and create criminal offenses related to material support of terrorism.
• After voicing your concerns about HB 505, call Governor Brian Kemp and tell him to veto SB 63. SB 63 is a dangerous bill that will preempt local bail reform, expand mandatory cash bail for 30 new offenses and criminalize charitable organizations that post bond.
• Finally, call your representative or senator and encourage them to support legislation that progresses reform in Georgia. Use our legislative tracker to find out which bills we’re supporting.

Your voice matters in shaping the future of our state!

As a reminder, the hearing schedule, including agendas and live stream links, can be viewed on the legislature’s website.

Last Week at the Capitol
The legislature convened for Legislative Days 36 through 38.

• HB 909, which provides for Restriction and Seal of First Offenders Act to the Public, was heard in Senate Judiciary on Monday, March 18, 2024.
  Status: Passed Senate Judiciary by Substitute.
• HB 926, which streamlines the process for drivers to reinstate their driver’s license after a missed court date and expands the reinstatement fee waiver to fully cover DDS reinstatement fees, was heard in Senate Judiciary on Monday, March 18, 2024.
  Status: Passed Senate Judiciary by Substitute.
• HR 1416, which creates the House Study Committee on Felony Sentencing and Punishment in Georgia, was heard in House Judiciary Non-Civil on Monday, March 18, 2024.
  Status: Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil.
• SB 157, which removes barriers in occupational licenses and expands access to record restriction, was heard in House Judiciary Non-Civil on Monday, March 18, 2024.
  Status: Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil by Substitute.
• SB 517, which provides law enforcement with civil immunity and protection from criminal prosecutions for justified or lawful use of force, was heard in House Judiciary Non-Civil on Monday, March 18, 2024, and introduced on the House floor on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
  Status: House Postponed until 3/26.
• SB 490, which moves the felony aggravation level of felony fleeing and eluding up by one year, was heard in House Public Safety & Homeland Security on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.
  Status: Passed House Public Safety & Homeland Security as Introduced.
• HB 505, which creates the felony offense of rioting, legalizes vehicular harm against protestors, and adds language from SB 523 that creates criminal offenses related to material support of terrorism, was heard in Senate Judiciary on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
  Status: Passed Senate Judiciary by Substitute.
• HB 881, which was amended to include language from SB 554, which extends the Georgia State Indemnification Fund to include officers who died from COVID-19, and HB 996, which grants POST certified jailers arrest powers, was heard in Senate Judiciary on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
  Status: Passed Senate Judiciary by Substitute.
• SB 36, which increases penalties for pimping and pandering, allows private parties hosting a ticketed or gated event with alcohol to prohibit firearms, and adds language from HB 1383 to expand the state authority of federal law enforcement officers to arrest and detain without a warrant, was heard in House Judiciary Non-Civil on Wednesday, March 2024.
  Status: Passed House Judiciary Non-Civil by Substitute.
• SB 465, which establishes the offense of felony aggravated involuntary manslaughter, was heard on the House floor and again on the Senate’s floor on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
  Status: On the Governor’s Desk for Signature.
• SB 533, which establishes jail-based competency restoration programs, was heard on the House floor on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
  Status: On the Governor’s Desk for Signature.
• HB 1033, which enhances penalties for assault, aggravated assault, battery, and aggravated battery against a utility worker, was heard on the House floor to agree to the Senate substitute on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
  Status: On the Governor’s Desk for Signature.

This Week at the Capitol
The legislature will convene for final Legislative Days 39 and 40.