Lawmakers hear testimony on criminal justice bill

A bill that would change Georgia’s approach to criminal punishment got its first hearing Thursday before a joint committee of the state House and Senate.

House Bill 1176 seeks to improve public safety and control growth of the state’s massive prison system by using alternatives to prison for nonviolent offenders.

Judges, prosecutors and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation weighed in on the details of the complex, 75-page bill. Testimony will continue Friday.

Rep. Rich Golick, R-Smyrna, the measure’s lead sponsor, opened the hearing saying the bill, as filed, is a “starting point” and acknowledged that changes would be necessary. A provision that would base drug possession sentences on the amount of illegal drugs seized by police drew the most criticism, with the GBI and prosecutors saying that analyzing the evidence would be complex and costly.

Retailers and criminal defense attorneys are among those expected to testify Friday.

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