GA HB414

Expands the definition of "person" under Georgia's campaign finance law to include nonresidents who commit acts, omissions, or transact business within the state that would be subject to ethics regulations if performed by a Georgia resident

Establishes a 30-day deadline for defendants to respond to civil actions brought by the Attorney General for campaign finance violations; failure to respond results in automatic default judgment

Requires superior courts to schedule hearings on the merits within 30 days after a defendant files a response in Attorney General enforcement actions

Grants the State Ethics Commission supplementary investigatory powers to obtain documents and information located outside Georgia, with authority to petition superior court to compel compliance if requests are refused

Sets venue for ethics violations involving non-Georgia residents in Fulton County, rather than the defendant's county of residence