A key House panel Wednesday passed a measure to allow a constitutional amendment be placed on the ballot to let voters decide whether a revenue stream set up to fund Georgia's indigent defense system can be dedicated solely for that reason.

House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee Chairman Rich Golick, R-Smyrna, who sponsored House Resolution 977, said the public defender system needs to be on as solid financial footing as possible.

During a special session in 2004, the Legislature established a system to fund the financially struggling defender program through increased court fines and fees. But in past years lawmakers have diverted millions of dollars in collections to other programs. If the constitutional amendment is ultimately approved, this will no longer be possible and all collections must go to the defender system.

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                        Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) sees to her son while in her office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 11, 2024. Luna is pressing to allow new mothers to designate a colleague to cast votes on the House floor on their behalf. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

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The last Michelin Guide Awards ceremony took place at the Georgia World Congress Center on Monday, Oct 28, 2024.

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