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Senate Resolution 429
By: Senators Burns of the 23rd, McLaurin of the 14th, Jones II of the 22nd, Payne of the 54th
and Halpern of the 39th
A RESOLUTION
Creating the Senate Addressing Felony Disenfranchisement in Georgia's Constitution Study
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Committee; and for other purposes.2
WHEREAS, the civil rights of all individuals should be protected and respected; and3
WHEREAS, felony disenfranchisement is a significant barrier to full reintegration into4
society for individuals who have been convicted of a crime, but who have completed their5
custodial sentence and are actively contributing to their community by paying taxes and6
fulfilling other civic duties and responsibilities; and7
WHEREAS, Georgia has one of the longest parole and probationary periods in the nation and8
the highest number of individuals under supervision per capita of any state, which should not9
serve as a barrier to the successful reintegration of individuals who have been released from10
incarceration and are working to rebuild their lives and be invested in their communities; and11
WHEREAS, Georgia's Constitution, under the felony disenfranchisement clause, currently12
prevents individuals from fully participating in democracy by denying them the right to vote,13
even after they have been released into their communities to serve the remainder of their14
sentences and are engaged in their communities as law-abiding citizens; and15
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WHEREAS, a study committee is needed to explore possible reforms that would promote
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public safety by removing barriers to civic participation for individuals released from17
incarceration and ensure that Georgia's election laws are in alignment with the principles of18
justice and equality.19
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:20
(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Addressing21
Felony Disenfranchisement in Georgia's Constitution Study Committee.22
(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of six members of the23
Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall24
designate a member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.25
(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,26
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or27
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate, including, but not28
limited to, the following:29
(A) Examining the current application and legal reasoning behind the felony30
disenfranchisement clause in the Georgia Constitution and assessing its ongoing31
relevance in today's society;32
(B) Reviewing Georgia's current laws regarding disenfranchisement and evaluating33
how they impact individuals released from incarceration who are working and paying34
taxes while serving the remainder of their sentences in the community;35
(C) Studying potential reforms allowing individuals who have served the custodial36
portion of their sentences and are living in the community, even if they have not37
completed their sentences, to regain their right to vote and strengthen their ability to38
participate in civic life;39
(D) Considering the economic, legal, and societal impacts of restoring voting rights to40
individuals who are released from incarceration; and41
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(E) Recommending a practical framework for the successful reintegration of
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individuals into society, ensuring that they are able to resume civic engagement as43
responsible members of their communities.44
(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee45
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or46
convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and47
accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.48
(5) Allowances and funding. The legislative members of the committee shall receive49
the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia50
Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any51
member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. 52
Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds53
appropriated to the Senate.54
(6) Report.55
(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that56
include suggestions for proposed legislation or amendments to the Georgia57
Constitution, the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to the date of58
abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.59
(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for60
proposed legislation or amendments to the Georgia Constitution, the chairperson shall61
file the report, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.62
(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of63
abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. 64
A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with65
the Secretary of the Senate.66
(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary67
of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.68
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(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.
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