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Sine Die: Georgia’s 2023/2024 Legislative Biennial Ends

On Thursday, March 28, the Georgia General Assembly officially adjourned! Over the past three months and the last two years of the legislative biennial, legislators introduced and debated hundreds of bills. Bills that passed both chambers are now headed to the governor’s desk for final review. Those neither signed nor vetoed by the Governor will become law on July 1, 2024 unless the bills state otherwise. Bills that did not survive Sine Die are dead and will not be considered unless they are reintroduced when the legislature reconvenes in January 2025.

Our Public Policy Unit is eternally grateful to our partners, supporters, and community for working collaboratively to advocate for compassionate legislation and vigilantly oppose harmful bills that criminalize race, poverty and dissent. Because of Georgia’s justice ecosystem, proposals like House Bill 505 failed, and community members engaged in critical advocacy will not be prosecuted for “material support of terrorism.” We look forward to maintaining this momentum and working with our partners in the coming months to prepare for next year. 

Read on to learn more about the bills that will receive final consideration from the governor and you can find more detailed updates via our legislative tracker.    

Action Alert

Your voice matters! Call Governor Kemp, (404) 656-1776, and tell him to VETO the following legislation:

  • SB 63, a dangerous bill that will preempt local bail reform, expand mandatory cash bail for 30 new offenses and criminalize charitable organizations that post bond. 

Newly Established Study Committees 

  • SR 570, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson, creates the Senate Supporting Safety and Welfare of All Individuals in Department of Corrections Facilities Study Committee. The Senate adopted this committee by a vote of 53-0 on February 27, 2024 (LD 27). This committee will stand abolished on December 1, 2024.  

Advancing to the Governor’s Desk: Bills That Successfully Transitioned 

Bills We Supported  

Eliminating Barriers to Reentry 

  • HB 926, sponsored by Rep. Matt Reeves, 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. It passed by substitute in the House (159-1) on February 29, 2024 (LD 28), and by substitute in the Senate (51-1) on March 28, 2024 (LD 40). The House agreed to the Senate’s substitute by a vote of 155-10 on March 28, 2024 (LD 40).

Bills We Opposed 

Expanding Mass Incarceration  

  • SB 465, sponsored by Sen. Russ Goodman, establishes the offense of felony aggravated involuntary manslaughter. It passed by substitute in the Senate (49-3) on February 27, 2024 (LD 27), and by substitute in the House (175-0) on March 20, 2024 (LD 37). The Senate agreed to the House’s substitute by a vote of 53-0 on March 20, 2024 (LD 37).  

Criminalizing Poverty  

  • SB 63, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson, expands mandatory cash bail for 30 new offenses and criminalizes charitable organizations that post bond. The conference committee report was adopted by the Senate (30-17) on February 1, 2024 (LD 14), and by the House (101-63) on February 6, 2024 (LD 16).  
  • SB 159, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson, criminalizes bringing a cell phone behind the guard lines of a county or state penal institution. It passed by substitute in the Senate (34-20) on February 27, 2023, and by substitute in the House (103-72) on March 27, 2023. The Senate agreed to the House’s substitute by a vote of 43-7 on January 22, 2024 (LD 6).  

Criminalization of First Amendment Activity & Political Dissent  

  • HB 500, sponsored by Rep. Deborah Silcox, creates the offense of arson of a law enforcement vehicle. It passed the House (100-69) as Introduced on March 1, 2023, and in the Senate (36-18) on March 28, 2024 (LD 40).  

State Sanctioned Violence 

  • SB 517, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson, provides law enforcement with civil immunity and protection from criminal prosecutions for justified or lawful use of force. It passed as introduced in the Senate (34-17) on February 29, 2024 (LD 28), and in the House (149-18) on March 26, 2024. (LD 39).  

Establishing the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Qualification Commission  

  • SB 332, sponsored by Sen. Randy Robertson, removes SCOGA from approving standards and rules of the PAQC. It passed by substitute in the Senate (29-22) on February 6, 2024 (LD 16) and in the House (97-73) on March 5, 2024 (LD 30). Signed by the Governor on March 13, 2024 (LD 34). 

Bills We Monitored 

  • HB 1033, sponsored by Rep. Rob Leverett, enhances penalties for assault, aggravated assault, battery, and aggravated battery against a utility worker. It passed by substitute in the House (161-0) on February 12, 2024 (LD 20) and by substitute in the Senate (50-2) on March 18, 2024 (LD 36). The House agreed to the Senate’s substitute by a vote of 160-1 on March 21, 2024 (LD 38).  
  • SB 335, sponsored by Sen. John Albers, adds adopted children to incest offense. It passed as introduced in the Senate (49-0) on January 31, 2024 (LD 13) and in the House (164-0) on March 11, 2024 (LD 33).  
  • SB 533, sponsored by Sen. Brian Stickland, establishes jail-based competency restoration programs. It passed as introduced in the Senate (51-2) on February 29, 2024 (LD 28) and in the House (159-8) on March 20, 2024 (LD 37).