25 LC 48 1432 House Bill 304 By: Representatives Yearta of the 152 nd , Gullett of the 19 th , Gunter of the 8 th , Kelley of the 16 th , Reeves of the 99 th , and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 32 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to 1 municipal courts, so as to create the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks' Council; to provide for2 definitions; to provide for the membership, powers, and duties of the council; to provide for3 funding of the council; to provide for the status of the council and its members; to provide4 for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Chapter 32 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to municipal8 courts, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:9 "ARTICLE 4 10 36-32-50.11 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:12 (1) 'Council' means the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks' Council.13 H. B. 304 - 1 - 25 LC 48 1432 (2) 'Municipal court staff' means the primary person most directly responsible for the14 administration of a municipal court, other than a judge of the municipal court, and his or15 her support staff.16 (b) There is created the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks' Council. The council shall be17 composed of the municipal court staff of all municipal courts within this state. The council18 is authorized to organize itself and to develop a constitution and bylaws. The council is19 authorized to elect such officers, including an executive committee, as it shall deem20 advisable to carry out its duties and responsibilities. The council is authorized to appoint21 advisory committees and establish the membership and duties thereof. In addition to the22 members of the council, the council is authorized to provide for special classes of23 nonvoting memberships for honorary members and those persons who have retired from24 positions involving the administration and management of municipal courts.25 (c) It shall be the purpose of the council to effectuate the responsibilities conferred upon26 it by law, to further the improvement of the municipal courts and the administration of27 justice, to assist the municipal court staff throughout the state in the execution of their28 duties, and to promote and assist in the training of municipal court staff.29 (d) Expenses of the administration of the council shall be paid from state funds30 appropriated for such purpose and from other appropriate sources.31 (e) The council shall be a legal entity and an agency of the State of Georgia; shall have32 perpetual existence; may contract; may own property; may accept funds, grants, and gifts33 from any public or private source for use in defraying the expenses of the council; may34 adopt and use an official seal; may establish a principal office; may employ such35 administrative or clerical personnel as may be necessary and appropriate to fulfill its36 necessary duties; and shall have other powers, privileges, and duties as may be reasonable37 and necessary for the proper fulfillment of its purposes and duties.38 H. B. 304 - 2 - 25 LC 48 1432 (f) A member of the council shall not be ineligible to hold the office of municipal court39 staff by virtue of his or her position as a member of the council and membership in the40 council shall not constitute the holding of a public office."41 SECTION 2.42 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.43 H. B. 304 - 3 -