Legislative Report #2 of the 2006 Session of the Georgia General Assembly

The 2nd week of the 2006 Session of the Georgia General Assembly was quite eventful.  Both the House and Senate Appropriation subcommittees met regarding the FY06 supplemental budget and FY07 general budget requests.   Also, the conference committee report on SB 203 (indigent defense cost recovery) was adopted by the House and Senate.  It is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. 

On Wednesday, Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Sears gave the State of the Judiciary address to the joint session of the House and Senate.  She informed the legislature that the statewide indigent defense system is off to a good start and asked that the legislature continue to fund it. 

HB 391 which authorizes the circuit public defenders to enter the Judicial Retirement System is still in the House Rules Committee, chaired by Rep. Earl Ehrhart (Cobb County).

The House Judiciary Non-Civil committee met on HB 1059 which provides for stricter penalties for individuals convicted of sex offenses.  The committee will continue its hearing on the committee substitute of this bill on Tuesday, January 31, 2006. 

New criminal justice bills that have been introduced this week are as follows:

House Bills

HB 1059:  This bill provides for harsher penalties and stricter restrictions to persons convicted of sex offenses.
HB 1093:  This bill authorizes law enforcement to issue citations for nontraffic misdemeanors. 
HB 1094:  This bill increases the cap on the fine for Open Container in a Motor Vehicle from $200 to $500.

HR 1154:  This bill creates a House Study Committee on Georgia State Patrol. 

Senate Bills

SB 428:  This bill prohibits the illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensation, or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance or marijuana in, on, or within a church or other house of worship. 
SB 449:  This bill prohibits registered sex offenders from residing at institutions of higher education in this state.
SB 451:  This bill provides that notice of conviction and release of a person who is required to register as a sexual offender shall be made for offenders sentenced directly to probation or who are newly established residents in a county, and it requires annual renewal of a driver’s license for registered sex offenders.