GA HB1396

Establishes the "Georgia Regional Grand Jury Act," creating regional grand juries with jurisdiction extending across multiple counties within three regions (Northern, Middle, and Southern) aligned with Georgia's federal court districts

Grants regional grand juries jurisdiction over public corruption, criminal acts of terrorism, multi-county crimes including drug trafficking, racketeering (RICO), criminal gang activity, mortgage fraud, identity fraud, Internet fraud, and telemarketing fraud

Requires the Attorney General to petition the Supreme Court of Georgia to convene a regional grand jury, demonstrating the matter cannot be effectively handled by a county grand jury; the Supreme Court then designates a superior court judge to impanel and preside over the jury

Regional grand juries consist of 16 to 23 members drawn from at least four counties, with no more than five jurors from any single county, serving a 12-month term extendable to 18 months; at least 12 votes are required to return an indictment

Contingent effective date of January 1, 2011, dependent on voter ratification of a constitutional amendment at the November 2010 general election; the Act would be automatically repealed if the amendment is not ratified