HOUSE
HB 881 – Rep. Joseph Gullett
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65965
WHAT IT DOES:
- Addresses the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Committee and the rules which govern it
- Strikes language requiring rules and standards to be reviewed by the Supreme Court and approved by that body
- Adds language in code section re:
- mental/physical incapacity and changes language from ‘interfering with’ duties to ‘adversely effects’ (which would effectively alter the standard for this as interfering is slightly less objective than ‘adversely effects’)
- mental/physical incapacity and adds language to include medical leave of 10+ months or an aggregate of 10 months in a 12 month period
- Allows the attorney to appeal a decision by the panel by adding language to add review by the superior court judge in the county in which a prosecutor works/worked and then that decision by the superior court judge is directly appealable to the Supreme Court of Georgia
- Strikes language on appeals to put them in Fulton County and instead allows them to any county or county where the prosecutor works/worked
CONCERNS: None.
PASSED: 95-75
Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) issued the following statement in response to the passage of House Bill 881:
“Today, the House passed HB 881 to hold District Attorneys and Solicitors General across Georgia accountable. Georgians deserve District Attorneys who are focused on upholding their oath of office, prosecuting criminals, and doing their job to keep our communities safe—and I am confident that the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission will ensure that happens. I look forward to the Senate acting quickly on this important legislation and delivering it to Governor Kemp to sign into law.”
Governor Kemp issued the following statement:
“I comment the House on their swift passage of this piece of legislation that will allow the members of the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualification Commission to commence operations. I was proud to sign legislation last summer that established this commission and look forward to the Senate’s quick action on the bill.”
SENATE
SB 342 – Sen. Randy Robertson
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65959
Allows the Department of Human Services to access records concerning abuse and neglect for the purpose of locating, recovering, or providing services to a child who is determined to either be missing or the victim of sexual exploitation.
PASSED: 52-0
SB 337 – Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65949
Allows the Governor to appoint honorary Georgia Colonels for life.
PASSED 51-1
SB 354 – Sen. Larry Walker
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/66063
Allows certain individuals to be exempt from activities that require a cosmetology licensure requirement. The activities are limited to shampooing, blow-dry styling, and applying cosmetics.
PASSED 38-15
HB 455 – Rep. John LaHood
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64528
Carried by Senator John Albers in the Senate
Would provide that professional programs which are established to address career fatigue and wellness in healthcare professionals are not obligated to report to licensing boards.
PASSED 51-0
HB 130 – Rep. Matthew Gambill
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/63760
Carried by Sen. Bo Hatchett
Allows for student loan repayment guidelines for eligible peace officers
PASSED 52-0
SB 353 – Sen. Greg Dolezal
LINK: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/66061
- Would make proposed changes to include granting coroners or county medical examiners the ability to delegate their duties for deaths on interstate highways or limited access roads in certain situations. Would only be granted to medical personnel and only when there is a need to keep the flow of traffic moving.
- Allow GDOT to use its authorized procurement procedures for projects opting for alternative contracting, increasing the maximum length of modular unit transporters to 84 feet.
PASSED 51-1
