HB 288 Georgia House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Appeal and error; declaratory judgments in instances involving accusations made by a prosecuting attorney regarding credibility of a peace officer; provide

Summary
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 5, Chapter 4 of Title 9, Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 15, and Chapter 16 of Title 17 of the O.C.G.A., relating to appellate practice, declaratory judgments, prosecuting attorneys, and criminal trials, respectively, so as to provide for declaratory judgments in instances involving accusations made by a prosecuting attorney regarding the credibility of a peace officer; to amend Chapter 8 of Title 35 of the O.C.G.A., relating to employment and training of peace officers, so as to provide for review by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council of accusations of peace officer impairment as a witness; to provide for definitions; to amend Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 12 of Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to general provisions relative to grand juries, so as to provide for conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Signed May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

LC 56 0365S/hcs HB 288/AP* · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to significantly expand its scope by adding new requirements for sheriff candidates, while retaining the original provisions regarding Giglio lists for prosecuting attorneys. The changes ensure that anyone running for sheriff must be a certified or registered peace officer, with specific exceptions and timelines for first responders and military veterans to obtain certification after election. Additionally, the bill now explicitly exempts current elected sheriffs from certain qualification requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely regulating Giglio lists for prosecuting attorneys to also include qualification requirements for sheriff candidates.
ELIGIBILITY

Added a requirement that candidates for sheriff must be a certified or registered peace officer not under revocation.

Created an exception allowing first responders, military veterans, and former law enforcement officers to swear they will obtain peace officer certification within six months of taking office.

ENFORCEMENT

Added penalties for knowingly providing false information during the sheriff qualification affidavit process.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's title and summary to reflect the new sheriff qualification requirements alongside the existing Giglio list provisions.

EXEMPTIONS

Added an exemption clause stating that current elected sheriffs are deemed to have met the new qualification requirements.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 31, 2025 · House Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

540
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 55
Mar 31, 2025
D Democratic22
21 Yea 1
95% Yea
R Republican33
33 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
6
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 12, 2025
Signed into law
Act 115
upper
May 12, 2025
Signed into law
House Date Signed by Governor
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Introduced
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
lower
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Committee
Senate Read and Referred
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Introduced
House Hopper
lower
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors