House Bill 48

Chair's Name: Ben Harbin

Committee: Appropriations

House Sponsor: Jill Chambers

HB 48 deals with the Georgia State Indemnification Fund. Rep. Chambers will offer a floor substitute. The Floor Substitute expands the definition of �In the line of duty� to include training of law enforcement and firefighters. This will allow the families of those killed while in training to be indemnified by the state.

The committee substitute received a Do Pass recommendation from the Appropriations Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Harbin�s opinion of this Appropriations committee substitute:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

HB 48 makes sure that all sworn officers of Georgia are treated equally under the State Indemnification Fund.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

It addresses the occurrence of certain officers not being covered by the fund.

THIS LEGISLATION:

• Strengthens the Traditional Family Structure

HB 48 will protect the families of fallen/injured officers.

• Other:

HB 48 will ensure that all sworn officers are treated equally under the State Indemnification Fund.

Conference Committee Report

The conference committee report removed provisions added by the Senate which addressed sentencing for those convicted of the murder or felony murder of peace officers, firefighters, etc. Also, the term "prison guard" was changed to "correctional officer" and a paragraph added by the Senate addressing Forestry Commission employees was removed.