GA HR1703

Creates a 12-member House Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation to address delays in Georgia's post-conviction appeal process, where motions for new trial often take years or decades to resolve.

Committee composition includes 5 legislative members (chairpersons of House Judiciary, Judiciary Non-Civil, and Judicial Appropriations Subcommittee, plus 2 other House members) and 7 non-legislative members (representatives from criminal defense lawyers, prosecutors, State Bar, Attorney General, Chief Justice, and 2 superior court judges).

Responds to Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Nels Peterson's March 2026 concurring opinion stating "the system is broken" and requires "legislative action to fix it," noting Georgia is an outlier compared to other states and federal courts.

Addresses systemic inefficiencies caused by requirements that new counsel must be appointed to litigate ineffective assistance of counsel claims, creating delays as new attorneys familiarize themselves with cases.

Committee will study conditions and recommend legislation, with reports due before abolishment on December 1, 2026; funded through House appropriations with standard per diem allowances for members.