Bipartisan group supports civil forfeiture bill
A bipartisan coalition announced its support for legislation Thursday that would subject law enforcement and district attorneys to more scrutiny when they seize property during investigations.
House Bill 1 is a first step in what should become a comprehensive overhaul of the state's civil forfeiture system, said members of six groups that make up Georgians for Forfeiture Reform. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, would require agencies that receive cars, cash and other property to send detailed reports describing what was forfeited and how it was used. It would also place tighter controls on how district attorneys administer their proceeds.
“It does not go as far as we want it to go, but it does raise the reporting requirement here in Georgia,” said Joel Foster, a coordinator with Americans for Prosperity Georgia.
HB 1 stalled during last year’s legislative session, but it picked up steam after complaints that forfeiture proceeds were being misused. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation found Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard used his funds for things such as tickets to balls and sports events, a private movie screening, and a high-tech surveillance system for his home.
Other coalition members include Common Cause of Georgia, the ACLU of Georgia, Atlanta Tea Party, the Southern Center for Human Rights and the Institute for Justice. The group says it represents 200,000 Georgians. Its website is http://protectthepeachstate.com/.
— Willoughby Mariano
House backs constitutional convention
The state House on Thursday passed a series of bills and resolutions aimed at calling a national constitutional convention to rein in spending in Washington.
The House, largely along party lines, adopted House Bill 794, House Resolution 1215, Senate Bill 206 and Senate Resolution 371.
The U.S. Constitution allows for states to call for a convention to consider amendments. If two-thirds, or 34, states adopt similar resolutions, a convention is ordered. The proposals adopted Thursday call for the convention and outline how a potential Georgia delegation would be named.
— Aaron Gould Sheinin
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