GA HB997

Creates a new felony offense in Georgia (Code Section 16-10-20.1) for knowingly filing a false lien or encumbrance against the real or personal property of a public officer or public employee in retaliation for the performance of their official duties

Applies to false liens filed in any public record or private record generally available to the public, where the filer knows or has reason to know the lien is false or contains materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements

Covers public officers as defined in existing state ethics law and public employees across all branches of state government, as well as those employed by counties, municipalities, consolidated governments, and local boards of education

Punishes violations as a felony with imprisonment of 1 to 10 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both

Adds the new offense to the list of predicate crimes under Georgia's RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act, alongside existing perjury and falsification statutes