Late last week the Georgia Senate Majority Caucus laid out its priorities for the 2023 legislative session. Following the lead of Gov. Brian Kemp, Senate Republicans announced that one of their major focus areas this year would be public safety and gang violence.
Monday, one of Kemp’s Floor Leaders – Sen. Bo Hatchett, R-Cornelia, — introduced Senate Bill 44 which addresses gang violence by creating a new offense for recruiting minors to gangs and establishes a mandatory minimum sentencing scheme for all gang offenses.
“There is no place for gangs in Georgia, and passage of this vital legislation is a top priority,” said Hatchett. “Enhancing gang sentencing across the board will ensure tough prison sentences for more gang offenders while offering a strong incentive for those accused of gang activity to cooperate with prosecutors.”
Both Kemp and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones voiced strong support for this new legislation during Monday’s announcement.
“Senate Bill 44 is a top priority for my office, along with Governor Kemp and Senator Hatchett,” said Jones. “This bill is one piece of the overall approach to reaffirm that Georgia will not tolerate gang activity or recruitment. Senate Bill 44 will enact powerful new tools to combat the violent street gangs operating across our state. Governor Kemp’s plan to target gang recruitment of minors will cut off the pipeline of young people being drawn into gangs.”
“As I said in my State of the State address, if you come after our children, we will come after you,” said Gov. Kemp. “We will not rest when it comes to making our streets safer and ensuring Georgia’s youngest citizens are not recruited into a life of crime that leads either to the prison cell or a cemetery. I’m grateful that our legislative leaders are making this issue a priority and working together to address it.”
Hatchett explained that in addition to targeting gang recruitment, the legislation also requires mandatory minimum sentences for all other gang offenses currently recognized by Georgia law but would allow the prosecutor and the judge to consider a lower sentence in limited circumstances. This includes situations in which the defendant renders “substantial assistance” in the identification, arrest, or conviction of other gang associates.
During their announcement last week, Senate Republicans said that they will also focus on economic growth and education. They also plan to provide income and property tax rebates, review the state’s tax credits, and expand the use of telehealth services in the state’s rural and poor communities.
