23 SB 11/AP
S. B. 11
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Senate Bill 11
By: Senators Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th, Dugan of the 30th, Payne of the 54th,
Beach of the 21st and others
AS PASSED
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
1
relating to general provisions concerning the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, so as to2
provide for independent and concurrent jurisdiction by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation3
in cases involving the identification, investigation, arrest, and prosecution of an individual4
or groups of individuals for violation of laws concerning domestic, cyber, biological,5
chemical, and nuclear terrorism; to provide for a short title; to provide for related matters;6
to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8
SECTION 1.9
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Fights Terrorism Act."10
SECTION 2.11
Article 1 of Chapter 3 of Title 35 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to12
general provisions concerning the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, is amended by revising13 23 SB 11/AP
S. B. 11
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Code Section 35-3-8.1, relating to power of bureau to assist other law enforcement agencies,
14
as follows:15
"35-3-8.1.16
(a)
Upon request of the governing authority or chief law enforcement officer of any17
municipality, the sheriff of any county, the chief of the county police force of any county18
having a population of more than 100,000 according to the United States decennial census19
of 1970 or any future such census, the a judge of the superior court of any county of this20
state, or the Governor, the director, in unusual circumstances, may, and in the case of a21
request by the Governor, shall, direct the bureau to render assistance in any criminal case,22
in the prevention or detection of violations of law, or in the detection or apprehension of23
persons violating the criminal laws of this state, any other state, or the United States.24
(b) The bureau shall be authorized to work independently, work concurrently with other25
law enforcement agencies, and request the assistance of other law enforcement agencies26
when, in the sole discretion of the director, such independent work, concurrent work, or27
request for assistance would not compromise the successful completion of cases involving28
the identification, investigation, arrest, and prosecution of an individual or groups of29
individuals for violation of laws concerning domestic, cyber, biological, chemical, and30
nuclear terrorism."31
SECTION 3.32
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law33
without such approval34
SECTION 4.35
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.36