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GA HB977

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/20/2020

Primary Sponsor

Vernon Jones

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2019-2020 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Counties and municipal corporations in Georgia would be authorized to adopt local ordinances governing and punishing the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana
  • County authority to adopt such ordinances is limited to counties with a chief executive officer form of government, applying only to unincorporated areas
  • Violations of local ordinances may be punished by fines only, with a maximum penalty not to exceed $1,000.00 — eliminating the possibility of jail time under local ordinances
  • Under existing state law, possession of one ounce or less remains a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000.00, or both; the bill creates an exception allowing local governments to set alternative penalties
  • All fines and bond forfeitures from prosecution of these local ordinance cases shall be retained by the county and paid into the county treasury

Legislative Description

Crimes and offenses; counties and municipal corporations to adopt ordinances governing and punishing the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana; authorize

Last Action

House Second Readers

2/24/2020

Full Bill Text

No bill text available