Georgia
Georgia Senate approves ‘Back the Blue’ donation bill
State Senate approves ‘Again the Blue’ act
The Georgia State Senate hopes a brand new initiative will assist to enhance pay and advantages for law enforcement officials. This as regulation enforcement companies are struggling to rent and maintain officers.
ATLANTA – In a time when recruitment and retention of regulation enforcement officers is tough, the Georgia Senate authorised a invoice its sponsors hope will assist.
Beneath the “Again the Blue Act” insurance coverage corporations should embody an possibility for Georgia customers to make a $3 donation to assist assist regulation enforcement once they purchase or renew auto protection.
Beginning July 1, 2024, the donations would go to the “Again the Blue Fund,” which might be managed by the Georgia Commissioner of Insurance coverage. The commissioner would divide up the cash evenly between the sheriff’s places of work in every of Georgia’s 159 counties and distribute the funds in July 2025.
State Sen. Larry Walker, III, R-Perry, stated the cash might actually make a distinction within the state’s rural communities the place deputies and jailers are sometimes “woefully underpaid.”
“They’ve lots of accountability, and we have to determine a method to assist them on their compensation and present them our appreciation for retaining our communities protected,” defined Sen. Walker.
Lt. Governor Burt Jones, R-Georgia, initially filed the laws final yr and labored with Sen. Walker to maneuver the invoice ahead this yr.
“We hope it will present them extra measures for salaries, bonuses, in addition to advantages,” stated Lt. Gov. Jones.
In line with Sen. Walker, there are 3.5 million registered automobiles within the state. Lt. Gov. Jones estimates if about half of these automotive homeowners donate, every county will get about $150,000 every year.
The invoice now wants the approval of the Home of Representatives to change into regulation.