Maddy summaryHB 551 regulates the use of immobilization devices (like wheel clamps) on trespassing vehicles parked on private property in Georgia. It requires property owners to post clear notices detailing immobilization rules, fees, and recovery options before using such devices, except for residential properties with four or fewer units. The bill limits immobilization to licensed operators in jurisdictions that authorized the practice, sets maximum fees (no storage fees for the first 24 hours), and prohibits automatic surveillance or payments to property owners for immobilization services. It directly affects property owners, towing/storage companies, and vehicle owners whose vehicles are immobilized. The law also removes previous civil penalty authority but authorizes up to $2,500 penalties for violations.
Sponsored bills
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of drivers' licenses, so as to provide that presentation of a driver's license in a certain electronic format satisfies the requirement to possess a driver's license while operating a motor vehicle; to prohibit the compelling of a licensee to produce a wireless telecommunications device to a law enforcement officer; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 20-2-260 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to capital outlay funds generally under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to provide for an increase of the state's maximum authorization of capital outlay funding from $300 million to $375 million annually; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 2 of Chapter 70 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to service delivery, so as to revise provisions related to the county share of funding for jointly funded county-wide services be borne by unincorporated residents; to provide for annual reports thereof; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 47 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to used motor vehicle and used motor vehicle parts dealers, so as to remove the used car division and the used parts division of the State Board of Registration of Used Motor Vehicle Dealers and Used Motor Vehicle Parts Dealers; to confer the powers and duties of such divisions to the board; to revise the membership of the board; to revise the powers and duties of the board; to revise and clarify provisions relating to applications for and requirements of licenses; to revise provisions relating to the change of location by licensees; to revise and provide for definitions; to make conforming changes; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to regulation of hospitals and related institutions, so as to repeal certain provisions requiring COVID-19 testing of staff members in long term-care facilities; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 12-2-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to Environmental Protection Division, Environmental Advisory Council, duties of council and its members and director, appeal procedures generally, permit applications, and inspections, so as to update the reference date to standards, rules, and regulations; to amend Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to game and fish, so as to update the reference date to rules and regulations; to amend Code Section 52-7-26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to penalty, so as to update the reference date to rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 and Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to hunting and noncommercial fishing, respectively, so as to remove an exception for the use of air guns to hunt wildlife; to revise provisions concerning the taking of catfish by bow and arrow; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to provide for the compensation of the Echols County Board of Education; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and traffic, so as to provide for the operation of miniature on-road vehicles on certain highways; to provide for standards for registration of such vehicles; to provide for issuance of license plates for miniature on-road vehicles; to provide for an annual licensing fee for such vehicles; to provide for issuance of certificates of title by the Department of Revenue for such vehicles; to provide for equipment and operating standards for such vehicles; to provide local authorities with the power to prohibit operation of miniature on-road vehicles; to require posting of notice of such prohibition upon highways; to revise and provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.