State Legislative Update

The Second Session of the 2005-06 Georgia General Assembly ended March 30, 2006. Each session has a maximum of 40 legislative days. Any bill which did not make it through the legislative process this year will be dead and will have to be re-introduced next year when the new term begins on January 8, 2007. The following bills of interest passed into law or were vetoed this year.

SB 236 - Proposed to change state employees health insurance laws to allow the spouse and dependent children of state public safety officers killed in the line of duty to remain on the state health insurance plan at the same contribution level as other state employees. Sponsored for the PBA by Senator Ralph Hudgens of Comer. Passed Senate and House. VETOED by Governor Perdue May 5, 2006.

SB 381 - Proposes to provide a State of Georgia flag to honor any public safety officers killed in the line of duty. Passed Senate and House. Signed by the Governor April 28, 2006.

SB 396 - Proposes to amend state law to allow a person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any place where he or she has a legal right to be, then he or she has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm. Also identifies conditions under which that individual would be immune from criminal prosecution. Passed Senate and House. Signed by the Governor April 27, 2006.

SB 400 - Proposes to allow law enforcement agencies and officers to operate all terrain vehicles upon the roads of this state in pursuit of their normal duties. Passed Senate and House. Signed by the Governor May 4, 2006.

HB 101 - Proposes to allow members of the POAB on July 1, 2006 or after to buy credit for years of service prior to January 1, 1976 at $10.00 per month. This bill passed the House and Senate. Signed by Governor Perdue on April 18, 2006.

HB 1019 - Proposes to require policy, POST certification and training standards for officers who use a Taser or similar weapon. Passed the House and Senate. Signed by the Governor May 1, 2006.

HB 1126 - Proposes to allow exemptions from the eight year service requirement for correctional officers injured by inmate violence as it relates to certain health benefits. Passed House and Senate. Signed by the Governor May 5, 2006.

HB 1216 - Proposes to require any all terrain vehicles used by law enforcement agencies and officers on the public roads to be registered and licensed in accordance with OCGA 40-2-37. Passed House and Senate. Signed by the Governor May 1, 2006.

HB 1335 - Proposes to allow disclosure and review of first offender records of any applicant, candidate, or peace officer who was discharged after prosecution for a felony offense or any crime involving moral turpitude. Passed House and Senate. Signed by the Governor April 19, 2006.

HR 1154 - Proposes to create a study committee to undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems of the Georgia State Patrol to include, but not limited to, pay scale, recruitment, retention, and training. The committee is to report its findings and recommendations on or before December 31, 2006. Assigned to House Public Safety Committee and combined with HR 1396.

HR 1396 - Proposes to create a study committee to undertake the study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems of state and local law enforcement officers salaries and benefits. The committee is to report its findings and recommendations on or before December 31, 2006. Passed and adopted by the House March 28, 2006.