Georgia lawmakers propose bill allowing bail bondsmen to serve on county commissions

The Governmental Affairs meeting held on February 12, 2025, in Georgia focused on a proposed change to the law regarding the eligibility of bail bondsmen to hold elected office. Currently, the law prohibits bail bondsmen from becoming elected officials, with the sole exception being for school board positions. This issue came to light following a recent local election in Heard County, where a bail bondswoman was unaware of the law and subsequently could not be sworn in, leading to a costly special election for a county commission seat.

During the meeting, a representative discussed the need for legislative change to allow bail bondsmen to run for county commissioner and city council positions, provided they do not operate within the jurisdiction they wish to serve. This proposal aims to prevent conflicts of interest, as county commissioners control the sheriff's budget, and sheriffs approve bail bondsmen.

The representative emphasized that this change would primarily benefit smaller, rural counties, where the financial implications of holding a special election can be significant. The discussion highlighted concerns about potential influence across counties, but it was noted that bail bondsmen from larger counties are unlikely to give up their lucrative positions to run for office in smaller jurisdictions.

The proposed bill seeks to clarify and expand the exceptions for elected office eligibility while maintaining safeguards against conflicts of interest. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential voting on the proposed changes to the law.