05 LC 22
5758
House
Bill 349
By:
Representatives Dodson of the
75th,
Mitchell of the
88th,
Barnes of the
78th,
and Stephens of the
164th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 15-16-26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to investigation of charges against a sheriff and suspension of a sheriff, so as
to change the maximum period of time for a suspension and an extension of a
suspension; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 15-16-26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
investigation of charges against a sheriff and suspension of a sheriff, is
amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting in lieu thereof the
following:
"(c)
If the committee recommends the suspension of the sheriff, the Governor shall be
authorized to suspend the sheriff for a period of up to
60
180
days. In any case where a sheriff has been suspended for
60
180
days, the Governor may extend the period of suspension for an additional
30
180
days. Upon such recommendation, the Governor shall also be authorized to request
the district attorney of the county of the
sheriff́s
residence to bring a removal petition against the sheriff pursuant to subsection
(b) of Code Section 15-16-10 and Code Section 15-6-82 based upon the evidence
reported by the committee. In the event that the Governor determines that
further investigation should be made, he may then order additional investigation
by the committee, by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, by other law
enforcement agencies of this state, or by any special committee appointed by the
Governor for such
purpose."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.